The Ghosts That Haunt Me: An Alias/Buffy Crossover
By: Sam Lincoln
Rating PG-13
Summary: A Rambaldi prophecy sends Sydney to Sunnydale in search of "The Chosen One."
Spoilers: General spoilers for the current seasons of Alias, Buffy and Angel, but nothing specific to any storyline.
Disclaimer: All characters from Buffy and Angel are property of Mutant Enemy. All characters from Alias are property of Bad Robot and Touchstone Television. All characters are used without permission and no infringement is intended.
The Ghosts that Haunt Me: Chapter Four
"Sydney, I don't believe you did that!" Vaughn shouted. He was meeting with Sydney to review her mission from the previous day. What he heard did not please him.
"Vaughn listen, I had no choice," Sydney insisted.
"Of course you had a choice, you didn't have to blow your cover just because you tied to a chair."
"First of all they had already figured it out, somewhat, when the agent you sent to 'rescue' me told them I was a spy. So my cover was already sort of blown." Sydney paused and took a deep breath. "Look, they knew about the amulet, and the slayer, I needed that information to complete my mission. Quid pro quo."
"Quid pro quo?"
"That's right, I felt it necessary in order to establish trust so I could complete my mission."
Vaughn's face softened, "You know why I'm mad right?"
"Because I shared classified information with total strangers?"
"No, because one of those strangers is being interrogated by SD-6 even as we speak."
"That's the least of our worries, SD-6 also has the amulet in addition to Buffy."
"You can't seriously believe that story about a demon," Vaughn scoffed.
"Why not? If vampires and other big, scary monsters are real, they why not demons trapped in amulets?"
"Fair enough, so what do want to do about it?"
"I have a meeting with Sloane today. I'll find out where they're holding buffy, and the amulet. We can work on an extraction plan when I know more."
Vaughn looked uncomfortable, "Sydney, about that."
"What?"
"It's already been discussed and there won't be any extraction attempts."
"What?" Sydney asked again, her voice a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"It's been decided that it's too risky to try and pull her out."
"So you're just going to leave her there? For God's sakes Vaughn, she's an American citizen!"
"I did not say we'd leave her there."
Sydney looked horrified. "No, there's no way, I won't do it."
"Don't worry, it won't come to that."
"Because my father is more than capable enough, right?" Sydney said with disgust.
"Sydney, believe me. This is an option of last resort. If this amulet is as powerful as you say it is then what choice do we have?"
"Destroy the amulet maybe?"
"And how do we know that won't release this demon, or something worse?"
"Don't you think Rambaldi would have said that?"
"Maybe he did, you haven't seen the complete text after all."
"We have options, Buffy's friends..."
"A construction worker and a college dropout? I can hear Sloane quivering in fear from here."
"They know the risks and they're willing to try. What does the CIA stand to lose? If they pull it off great, if they don't well that's too bad but they weren't affiliated with us."
"I can still tell you the answer will be now."
"Of course far be it for a person to stick their neck out for a friend," Sydney spat out. She stared at Vaughn, letting the meaning of her statement sink in.
Vaugh sighed, "Sydney, look, do I want to hell this girl? Hell yes, but I'm not the guy making that decision."
"I'm going to be late for my meeting with Sloane," Sydney quietly said. She started to leave, "Just remember this," she said, turning to face Vaughn again. "I could have let you rot in that hellhole, but I went in and got you out because that's what friends do." The pair locked eyes for a long moment.
"You'd better go," Vaughn rasped. "You don't want to be late."
Sydney spun on her heels and walked away from Vaughn, leaving the CIA agent alone with his thoughts.
Sydney gently tapped on the open door to Sloane's office, causing the older man to look up from his paperwork. "Ah Sydney, good come in." He motioned for Sydney to enter the office. "Close the door behind you please," he instructed Sydney.
When Sydney entered the office she saw that Sloane was not alone. Seated in of the chairs in front of Sloane's desk was a woman Sydney did not recognize. The brunette looked to be a few years older than Sydney and was dressed in an expensive, tailored business suit.
"Sydney I'd like you to meet Lilah Morgan. Ms. Morgan is an attorney with the law firm of Wolfram and Hart."
The newcomer held out her hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you Agent Bristow."
Sydney shook the woman's hand and did her best not to shudder. There was something about this woman that made her skin crawl. "The feeling is mutual Ms. Morgan," she lied.
"Please, call me Lilah."
"In addition to being one of the more powerful law offices in the country, Wolfram and Hart is an avid collector of ancient manuscripts," Slaone explained. "Including a one of a kind Rambaldi text. The last thing Rambaldi wrote before his death in fact."
Sydney could see where Sloane was headed. "So in exchange for the amulet we get the text?"
Sloane nodded, "Precisely, and don't look so disapproving Sydney, we did this for access to the Rambaldi text, not for monetary gain. Besides Wolfram and hart has a lot of clout inside the Beltway, and it's always wise to keep people like that happy. It's hwo the game gets played."
"What about the girl?"
"We're holding her for observation until we know why Rambaldi thought she was so important. After that, she's free to go."
Sydney nodded, she knew Sloane was lying, but obviously could not call him on it. "Is there anything else?"
"I just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done in Sunnydale. It seems your actions helped flush out the Chosen One and the amulet."
"I'm glad I could be of help," Sydney replied. She felt the bile rise in her throat as she spoke.
"I'll expect a complete written report on my desk by 0800 tomorrow."
Sydney nodded, "Of course. It was nice to meet you Ms. Morgan."
"I'm sure we'll meet again soon," Lilah replied. She waited for Sydney to close the door as she left the office before speaking again. "When do we receive the Slayer and the amulet?"
Sloane leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "You receive the product when we receive our compensation, just like we agreed."
Lilah nodded and reached down for a briefcase lying next to her. She lifted the briefcase and placed it on the desk "As we agreed upon, one Rambaldi manuscript in exchange for the Amulet of Rambaldus."
Sloane took the briefcase and set it next to him without opening it. "You of course won't mind if we independently verify the authenticity of the document before turning the amulet over to you?"
Lilah nodded, "Of course not, that is the prudent step to take. When can we expect delivery?"
"By tomorrow," Sloane replied. "Now about the girl."
"When we verify that you do in fact have the Slayer in captivity we will pay the agreed upon price of one hundred million dollars."
Sloane smiled, "Excellent, and how soon can you have the money ready?"
Lilah stared straight at Sloane, "By tomorrow, assuming you actually do have the Slayer."
Sloane stood up, "Why don't we go do that right now."
Sydney crept down the hallway towards the room she guessed Buffy was being held in. It was a section of SD-6 headquarters that was not exactly off limits, but at the same time if the wrong people saw her there they might start asking uncomfortable questions. Sydney came to a stop in front of an unmarked, windowless door. She ran a keycard she had lifted off of a guard through the card reader and slipped inside.
In the middle of the room she found Buffy lying bound to a steel table. Sydney walked up to the table to check on Buffy. The younger woman appeared to be either unconscious or asleep. A series of fading bruises on her face bespoke the treatment she had received at Sloane's hands. Sydney reached out and gently shook Buffy.
"Buffy, wake up Buffy," Sydney whispered.
Buffy groaned and strained against her restraints. For the first time Sydney noticed that the metal bands holding Buffy down were stressed and strained, like something had exerted tremendous pressure on them. Buffy's eyes fluttered open. "Who's there?" She demanded.
"Relax, it's me, Sydney."
"Sydney!" Buffy exclaimed. "What happened? Where am I?"
"You're in SD-6 headquarters," Sydney replied. "Another group was sent to Sunnydale without my knowledge. They captured you and brought you here."
"Ok, that explains that. Now get me the hell out of here!"
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that, not yet at least. There's something in the works thought, so don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you."
"You'd better not or else I'll be forced to break out of here and kill you."
Sydney smiled at Buffy's defiant attitude. "How are you holding up?"
"Oh you know, aside from the torture it isn't that bad. I've had time to plan redecorating my room."
"I hope I don't sound selfish, but I did want to remind you that no-one here can know what I told you last night."
"I don't think Mr. Prune is all that interested in getting any information out of me. These seem to be more general purpose beatings."
"Mr. Prune?" Sydney asked.
"Yeah, older guy, balding, sort of pinched and wrinkly."
"That's Arvin Sloan, he runs SD-6."
"He's not a nice guy," Buffy commented.
"No, he's a thoroughly ruthless and evil man who you do not want to cross."
"Ok, I need to go, but don't worry, somebody will be back for you." Sydney froze when she heard the door begin to open. She frantically looked around for a place to hide. She settled on a cabinet that was built into a counter that ran the length of one wall. It was a tight fit, but she managed to squeeze herself into the cabinet. From her vantage point she was unable to see anything, but she left the cabinet open a crack so she could hear what was going on.
"As promised," she heard Sloane say, "One Buffy Summers."
"Hello Slayer," Lilah said, "So nice to finally meet you. Angel has told me so much about you."
"How do you know Angel?" Buffy demanded.
Lilah smiled, "He's been a thorn in my side for many years now, but we'll see what he has to say when he learns that we're holding you prisoner.
"Are you satisfied that the product is authentic?" Sloane asked.
"Almost, do you have the picture?"
Sloane handed her a Polaroid. "We took this after our information gathering session. The difference is remarkable."
Lilah glanced down at the Polaroid and saw a face mottled with ugly bruises. Bruises that had faded noticeable on Buffy. "The Slayer has enhanced healing," she explained to Sloane. She walked up to Buffy and grabber the Slayer by the chine. Lilah tilted Buffy's head and examined the exposed skin of her neck. "Two scars right where they're supposed to be." She released Buffy and stared at Sloane. "She's either real or a marvelous fake.
"I assure you, she is real," Sloane insisted.
"Perhaps, but for one hundred million dollars it never hurts to be careful."
Sloane nodded, "Of course."
Buffy's eyes widened. "Wait a second, you're going to sell me to this psycho-bitch? Oh that's it, you're dead Mister." Buffy strained against her bonds and there was a shrieking sound as she bent the metal bands holding her.
"Guards!" Sloane shouted as Buffy managed to get one hand free.
By the time two guards came running into the room Buffy was free, and spoiling for a fight. "You two don't go anywhere," she instructed Lilah and Sloane before she dove at the two guareds, knocking them over in the process.
Lilah watched on in amusement as Buffy fought an ever-increasing number of guards. "Good enough, I'm convinced she's authentic," she told an amazed Sloane. "Expect your payment tomorrow." Lilah walked past the knot of security guards who had finally overcome Buffy. "I'll be seeing you tomorrow then, Slayer." Lilah grabbed Buffy's face. "We are going to have so much fun together." She let go of Buffy and left the room.
"Get her out of here," Sloane said angrily to the guards. "I want her under heavier restraint and sedated." Sloane watched the guards carry the unconscious Slayer out of the room. As Sloane started to leave he noticed, to his annoyance, that one of the cabinet doors was not shut tight. "Sloppy rooms lead to sloppy habits," he muttered to himself as he shut the cabinet. He filed away a mental note to speak to the staff about that and then left the interrogation room.
Giles stepped off the jetway in the LAX terminal and stared at the signs to try and decide which was the rental car counter was. In doing so he noticed a young, black man dressed casually holding a sign that read "Rupert Giles." Intrigued Giles walked up to the man. "Hello, I'm Rupert Giles."
The man looked at Giles for a moment, "Yep, you sure are. Hi, my name is Gunn. Willow sent me. Do you have any baggage to claim?"
"What? Oh no. I just brought this." Giles lifted the small bag slung over his shoulder.
"Great, cpome on, the car's this way." Gunn motioned for Giles to follow him. They walked out of the terminal in silence and Gunn lead Giles to a large black convertible.
"So you're a friend of Willow?" Giles asked as they sat in traffic.
Gunn shook his head, "I barely know the girl. I work for Angel."
"Oh, it's nice of you to drive me to Sunnydale."
"We're not going to Sunnydale."
Xander and Willow sat in the lobby of the Hyperion staring at Angel, Fred, and Cordelia. An uncomfortable silence hung over the room.
"So," Xander said, "Cordy, you really don't remember anything?"
Cordelia sighed, "For the last time yes, my mind's a total blank."
"I don't see how that's much dfferent than she was before," Willow muttered to Xander.
"You seriously don't remember us dating?" Xander pressed on. He was fascinated by this turn of events.
"Like I said before, no. Sheesh, for once I'm glad I can't remember anything. I must have been seriously troubled if I ever dated you."
"So, uh, Angel says you're a witch?" Fred asked Willow in an attempt to change the subject.
"Well, I..." Willow started to say, "Yeah, I guess I am, but it's, like...complicated. How about you, do you dabble in the dark arts?"
"Me?" Fred squeaked, "No, not so much. I like to stick to physics, it's so much more ordered," her voice trailed off.
"Oh, I like physics too, back in high school I was a major nerd, then I discovered magic and...still was a nerd," she admitted. The main door opened and Giles and Gunn entered the lobby. "Giles!" Willow shouted as she ran over to the Englishman and wrapped him up in a fierce hug.
"It's, uh, good to see you too Willow, now would you mind loosening your grip?"
Willow let go of Giles and took an embarrassed step backwards, "Oh, sorry."
"Giles, good to see you," Xander said. "I'd hug you, but, you know, it wouldn't be manly."
"Yes, well, thank-you for that." Giles scanned the rest of the room and walked over to where Angel, Cordelia, and Fred were standing. "Hello," he told Fred, "I don't believe we've ever met."
"I'm Fred, I'd hug you but, I don't know you so that would be awkward."
"Don't expect me to hug you, I don't know who you are either."
Giles looked questioningly at Willow, "It's a long story," Willow said, "Cordelia's gone all Memento on us."
Giles nodded, he decided that feigned understanding would be easier for him to handle. "Hello Angel," he told the vampire.
"Hi there Giles," the vampire replied before walking up to the Watcher and embracing him. "I'll give you a hug Rupert," he told the startled Watcher.
"No really, that's quite alright," Giles gasped. "Thank-you," he wheezed when Angel released him. "Now, about Buffy. Mr. Gunn told me something about what happened, but I'm afraid I'm still quite in the dark on a few details. Willow would you mind going over everything?"
As Willow described the events of the previous day Angel leaned over and whispered into Giles's ear. "I'm sorry about that, I was just trying to little the mood a little."
"That's understandable," Giles replied. "How are you taking all this?"
Angel shrugged, "That's a...complicated question...but I do want to find these people and tear out their intestines."
"Ah, yes," Giles agreed.
"...So I called Angel and asked for his help," Willow concluded. "Riley drove Xander and myself down to LA and our contact said she would let us know when she had more information."
"Where is Riley?" Giles asked.
"He went to get some equipment for when we play Mission: Impossible. He should be back soon," Xander replied.
Giles nodded and placed his bag on a nearby counter-top. "Alright, so what we have is a Slayer kidnapped by a secret organization that, for some reason, wants to release the demon Rambaldus. Am I mission anything?"
Willow shook her head, "No, that's pretty much it."
"Then how do we free Buffy?" Xander asked.
"Frontal assault," Angel said. "Go in, bust the place up. Do as much damage as possible and then get out."
"Oh, I like that plan," Xander said.
"Me too," Gunn added. "It's suicidal, but direct."
"It would help if we actually knew where Buffy is," Willow pointed out.
"I could go rough up some snitches, see what shakes free," Angel offered.
"Uh, Angel, it's the middle of the day, you aren't going anywhere," Fred told the vampire.
"I could tell you wehre to go and you guys could rough them up for me...or bring them here and let me rough them up."
"You're just looking for something to work your frustrations out on," Fred said accusatorially.
"Of course he is," Willow said. "This is Buffy we're talking about; the grand tragic love that cannot be. I mean I'm worried to, but it's not like Buffy ever let me drink her blood in order to save my life."
"Uhm, Willow," Angel said as he glanced at Cordelia, "I can talk for myself, ok?"
"Oh sorry, I guess I did get a little carried away."
"If I could interrupt for a moment," Giles said, "I'm curious as to where Wesley is. I wanted to ask his opinion on a few matters of translation."
"Oh, Wesley, uhm,...he..." Fred stammered.
"Yea, Wes, uh, er, you see it's like this..." Gunn continued, trying to cover for Fred.
"Wesley doesn't work here anymore," Angel flatly replied.
"Why not?" Giles asked.
"It's complicated," Angel replied. "If it's critical I can tell you where to find him, but I can't guarantee that he'll help you."
Giles frowned, he wanted to know what had happened, but Angel's attitude told him that now was not the time to ask. "Then I suppose the only thing we can do is wait for Riley and this contact of Willow's to arrive."
Sydney stood in front of the hotel Willow had said to meet her at. In her purse was a disc containing the layout of SD-6 headquarters. Sydney had risked her life before, she did so on a daily basis, but this time..."Is absolutely no different," she thought. She realized anyone of a million things could go wrong in the course of her duties with the CIA. Sloane might have a mole planted in the CIA. An agent might decide the money at SD-6 was right and change sides, or something more mundane. If Sloane learned of her involvement in the current endeavor she was dead, but if Sloane knew of her work with the CIA, she was also dead. That knowledge made walking through the front door that much easier.
"Hey Sydney," she heard a voice whisper.
She turned and saw someone hiding in the shrubbery. "Vaughn, is that you?" she asked.
"Yeah, it is," Vaughn replied as he stepped out of the shadows.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you worried we might get seen together?"
"There's a funny thin about this hotel, every traffic camera in the vicinity is broken."
Sydney smiled, "Your doing?"
"No, they're just broken. Somebody around here doesn't like being photographed."
"Lucky us," Sydney commented. "So, what brings you here?"
"I thought about what you said this morning...and I folded like a cheap suit."
"You're here to help? That's great!" Sydney threw her arms around Vaughn and gave him a friendly hug. When she realized what she had done she let go of Vaughn and slowly backed away from him. "Uh, sorry...I mean, thank-you," she said, a faint blush creeping up her face.
"Well, I owed you one," Vaughn pointed out.
"No you didn't, but still, thanks." Sydney pushed open the door to the hotel and stepped inside. "How did you know where I was going?" She suddenly asked.
"I'm a CIA agent, I know these things," Vaughn replied.
They entered the lobby and saw a small group of people standing there. One of them, a petite woman with wavy brown hair walked over to great the two agents. "Hi, welcome to Angel Investigations, we're a little busy right now, so unless you absolutely can't wait..."
"Sydney, you're here!" Willow shouted.
"...or you could be the person we've been waiting for," the brunette finished saying.
"Willow said there would be only one person, but I count two," Angel said coolly. "So which one of you is Sydney?"
"It's..." Willow started to say.
"Quiet Will, I want to hear it from them," Angel sternly said.
Sydney glanced at Vaughn. She knew he was considering saying his name was Sydney, but Willow and Xander both knew the truth, so there wasn't much point to any subterfuge. "I'm Sydney," she admitted.
"That's fortunate, because Willow said you were female," Angel said. "Who's your pal?"
"This is...Vance," Sydney extemporized, they did not have to know everything after all. "He's an associate of mine."
Angel nodded, "Fair enough, where's Buffy?"
"Wait, before we get into that I need to know who you people are," Sydney firmly said. "What I'm about to tell you is highly classified and I want to be able to hunt you down if you betray me." The cold glint in her eyes left no doubt that she was serious.
"That's Fred, Cordelia Chase, and Charles Gunn," Angel said brusquely. "The gentleman in the tweed is Rupert Giles, and I'm Angel."
"You're the one she was talking about," Sydney said as the puzzle pieces fell together in her mind.
"Who, Buffy?"
Sydney shook her head, "No, not Buffy, a lawyer. Her firm had worked out a deal for the amulet...and Buffy."
"A law firm you say?" Fred asked in a strangled voice.
Sydney nodded, "Yes, it was called Wolfram and Hart. Why, does that mean something to you?"
"What...what was the lawyer's name?" Angel asked in a strangely calm voice.
"Morgan," Sydney said after a moment's reflection. "Lilah Morgan."
"I'm going to kill her!" Angel roared. He pounded his fists against a counter-top; leaving behind two fist-sized craters in the formica.
Sydney gasped when she saw that his face had morphed into a vampire's. "He's a...everyone..." Sydney then saw that with the exception of Vaughn, who was staring slack-jawed, no-one in the room seemed shocked. "Ok, what gives, there's a vampire in the room and nobody's freaked."
"Speak for yourself," Vaughn gasped. To read about something in a report was one thing, but to actually see it was an entirely different matter.
"Angel's a good guy," Willow explained. "He has a soul so he can't hurt you."
Sydney gazed warily at the vampire, whose face had reverted back to its original form. "I don't know, I've seen plenty of sick things done by people with souls for me to trust anybody."
"Don't worry, you aren't the person I'm going to disembowel," Angel growled, "When I get through with Lilah she'll have Buffy freed in a heartbeat."
"No, you can't do that!" Sydney exclaimed.
Angel walked over to where Sydney and Vaughn were standing. His face shifted back to its demonic form and he leaned into Sydney, "And why not?"
Sydney stared unflinchingly into the inhuman yellow eyes that were mere inches from her. "Because it's a bad idea. Say you go and rough this lawyer up. She then goes back to the people at SD-6 and says. 'Hey, this Angel fellow knows about you guys.' SD-6 guards its invisibility zealously. They're going to come here, and torture all of you. And once they get the information they want, they'll kill you. And then they'll move onto Sunnydale. Everyone you know and love will be eliminated in order to preserve their secrecy."
Angel's face softened and shifted back to its more normal form. "And you have a better idea?"
The door opened and Riley entered the lobby. He was carrying several duffels, bags and boxes. Sydney smiled, "Actually, I think I do. Mr. Giles, you wouldn't happen to have a Rambaldi text on you?"
"Er yes, I do, why do you ask?"
"Perfect, ok, this is how I see things going..."
The next day Giles, Xander, Willow, and Gunn strode into Credit Dauphine. They were all wearing expensive suits and disguises of various sorts. Gunn had on a fake bear, and afro wig, and a pair of sunglasses. "Might as well go for the 'Julius' look," he had commented.
Xander had opted to bleach his hair and leave things at that. Willow had one a blonde wig. She had not wanted anything, but Sydney had been insistent.
"Your hair is very distinctive, you should hide it, maybe dye it black?" Willow very quickly grabbed the wig, black hair was a memory she'd just as soon forget. The wig in combination with the gray skirt and jacket she wore made her hardly look like Willow.
Of the foursome Giles was the least disguised. Sydney had given him a different pair of glasses. "Are you receiving this?" He whispered into the radio clipped to his collar.
"We're reading you five by five," Riley said as he watched the videofeed from Giles's glasses on a monitor in the back of a surveillance van
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Sydney had delivered her briefing in Angel's office. "There's only one way into SD-6, and that's through Credit Dauphine. The entrance is guarded round the clock so you'll have to be let in."
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Giles walked up to the receptionist desk and cleared his throat. "Hello, my name is Gilderoy, I have an appointment with Mr. Sloane." The receptionist nodded and picked up a phone.
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"The only person who can grant you access to SD-6 without arousing suspicion is Arvin Sloane," Sydney told the group. "That's where you come in Mr. Giles."
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Giles stood in front of the receptionist desk doing his best to keep from tapping his fingers against the metal briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. After a few moments wait a main fitting the description of Arvin Sloane walked towards the desk.
"Mr. Gilderoy?" Sloane asked.
"Yes," Giles replied.
"How do you do, I'm Arvin Sloane. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He held out his hand.
"Lucious Gilderoy, the feeling is mutual." Giles shook Sloan's hand.
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Now Sloane is a hard man without any weaknesses, except for one. His desire to acquire Rambaldi artifacts borders on an obsession. If we offer him the text Mr. Giles has Sloane will be willing to make a deal."
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"I trust that's the book you have strapped to your wrist?" Sloane asked Giles.
"Indeed, do you have my money?"
"Once I verify the book is authentic we can discuss your finder's fee," Sloane said. "If you'd follow me please we can continue this discussion somewhere more private."
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"Obviously Mr. Giles will not be able to do this by himself. Since it's customary for brokers like the one Mr. Giles will be posing as to have an entourage Sloane won't think anything is out of the ordinary. Xander, Gunn, you two will be Mr. Giles, or should I say, Mr. Gilderoy's bodyguards. If anyone asks, your names are Aaron and Gerald. Willow, you get to be the secretary, Ashley Epstein," Sydney smiled at her own joke.
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"Can by entourage accompany us?" Giles asked Sloane. "I never go anywhere without Aaron and Geraldl and I fear I cannot do much business without Ashley, she is my human Palm Pilot."
"Certainly, we wouldn't want them to just stand around out here in the lobby. Follow me please."
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"Riley and Vance cannot actively take part because of their ties to the CIA, but they will be in constant contact with you through a special radio link. They will track your progress and provide directions once the fun starts.
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"Okay people, the horse is in the stable," Vaughn said over the com net. "Helen, do your thing."
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"The room Buffy is being held in is constantly filled with a sedative. As soon as the insertion team is in SD-6 headquarters I'll begin flooding the room with a counter-agent."
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Sydney tapped a few keys on her computer then continued on with her work. "The weather is clearing," she whispered into her radio.
"Did you say something?" Dixon asked.
"Oh, I was just saying I hope the weather is clear this weekend, I'm planning on driving down to San Diego and hitting the beach."
Dixon nodded, "That does sound nice. It's been a while since the wife and I were down that way."
"You should go some time," Sydney told her partner.
"I think we will," Dixon mused, "but not this weekend, it's going to rain." They both smiled at Dixon's joke then returned to work.
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"Ok, now here's the tricky bit. We need to take down the surveillance system; which is something we cannot do through the network, the only person who can de-activate the system is Sloane."
"So what did you have in mind?" Willow asked.
"I was wondering, would it be possible to make an EMP device with magic, or something similar? SD-6's power grid is shield from EM pulses, but I'm sure they never considered magical shielding."
Willow nodded, "Giles and I will get right on it."
"We'll place the device in the briefcase Giles will carry, and we'll put another surprise in the briefcase Willow going to bring with her."
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Xander unlocked the briefcase handcuffed to Giles's wrist. He handed the briefcase to Sloane, who in turn gave it to a technician. "Why don't you come with me to the boardroom while the technicians examine the merchandise. Don't worry, this won't take long." They walkedi nto the conference room and Sloane, Giles, and Willow sat down around the table, while Gunn and Xander remained standing.
"Now I was thinking a fee of, say fifty million for the text?" Giles asked pleasantly.
Sloane smiled, "You aren't one for small talk. I like that. Do you need anything, coffee, tea?"
Giles shook his head, "No thank-you, like I told you on the phone Mr. Sloane. I expect to be well compensated for the text. I could always take it to one of your competitors." Giles hoped Sloane did not notice how nervous he was. Cloak and dagger was never his strong suit, but it was the only way to get Buffy back alive. Giles hoped it would not end up with him getting a bullet in the brain.
"That's pretty tough talk from a man who just handed me his only bargaining chip," Sloan carefully replied.
"But who's to say that is the only piece of Rambaldi memorabilia I can acquire?" Giles asked. He forced himself to stare straight at Sloane.
"You can get more of Rambaldi's work?" Sloane asked, unable to hide his surprise.
"I know of a private collector who could beinduced, to part with his collection."
"Induced how?"
"You're a smart man, I'm sure you could figure something out. So what's that worth to you, information leading to a complete collection of Rambaldi's work?" Giles leaned back in his chair. If it was not for the fact that the stakes were so high Giles would have enjoyed watching Sloane squirm.
"That would be worth quite a bit. If the text you brought proves to be genuine then we can discuss your finder's fee for the rest."
"Cersei, let the horse loose," Riley said softly in Willow's ear. The counter-agent had been given enough time to revive Buffy.
Willow briefly wished there had been time to get better codenames, but they'd been in a hurry. She made a slight gesture with her hands and muttered a short incantation to release the binding spell on the briefcase sitting in the lab.
There was a flash that rippled through SD-6 headquarters followed by darkness. Not even the emergency lights came on. The result was predictable, confusion.
"We seem to be having some technical difficulties, please wait here and I'll be right back," Sloane told Giles before he got up and forced his way out of the conference room.
"That worked better than expected," Giles commented. "Now Xander, you and Gunn to retrieve the amulet and the Rambaldi texts. Willow and I will attend to Buffy, and hurry, we don't have much time until the spell wears off," Giles instructed the rest of the team. "Is the second device ready?" he asked Willow.
Willow nodded, "Yep, all set."
"Excellent, we all meet back at the extraction spot." The foursome walked out of the conference room and crept off in separate directions.
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"There is another way out of SD-6, but it will on be accessible after the power goes down." Sydney told the group. "It's an access point to the sewer system. Angel, as soon as the power goes down get that door open and keep it open. It's the only exit that won't be heavily guarded the moment the power blinks off."
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Angel stood in the darkness of the sewer listening to the progress of the mission on the radio. He stared at the outline of the secret door and wondered if he would see anything when the spell went off. Much to his disappointment nothing did.
"Charon, the damn is breached, move into position," a voice in his hear told him.
With some trepidation Angel reached out and touched the door. When he did not get shocked he dug his fingers into the seam of the door and pulled. The door groaned, but without power the electromagnets holding it shut were ineffective and it slowly opened. Two guards standing post in front of the door turned around and stared at Angel in surprise.
"Hello boys," Angel told the pair, "Let's play." He grabbed the guards and slammed them together. They slumped to the ground and Angel dragged them out to the sewer. "This is Charon, the door is open."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"The reason we have to move quickly is because the exchange with Wolfram and Hart is tomorrow. This gives us a unique opportunity."
"We make it look like Wolfram and Hart did it?" Xander asked.
Sydney frowned, slightly miffed that Xander stole her thunder. "Exactly, if Sloane thinks he's been double-crossed then he'll focus all his attention on Wolfram and Hart, and not us."
"It also doesn't hurt that we're talking about a powerful law firm with its own security force," Gunn observed. "Which would you be more inclined to think robbed you; the lawyers from hell, or us?"
"That's great," Angel said, "but how do we do that?"
Sydney smiled, "That's the easier part, we just drop a few bread crumbs behind the scenes and Sloane will do the rest. He is paranoid enough to believe that every deal he makes is a potential double-cross. He'll want to be believe it was Wolfram and Hart."
"Then let's give him what he wants," Willow declared.
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Lilah was sitting in Sloane's office when the lights went out. She had been discussing transportation issues with one of Sloane's lieutenants, a man named Bristow. After the room went dark Bristow had told her to say in the office while he investigated. Lilah, of course, had no such intention. She picked up the attaché case holding the hundred million dollars and crept down the hallway. She did her best to avoid the people million about, and counted on the darkness to let her move around unchallenged. She stopped when she came to a door marked "lab" and entered.
"Who's there?" a frightened voice demanded.
Lilah walked over to the source of the voice and in the dim light saw that the speaker was a young man wearing a lab coat. "Sloane sent me for the Rambaldi artifacts that arrived yesterday, he wants them moved to a more secure location," she lied to the technician.
"What about the one that arrived today?"
Lilah forced down her curiosity, "Yes, that one too." It was more believable that way she reasoned.
"Ok, they're right over there," the tech said, pointing to a cabinet.
Lilah swung the attaché case and caught the tech on his head. The man fell crashing to the ground. Lilah opened up the cabinet and withdrew the Rambaldi text she had given Sloane and the amulet of Rambaldus. Before she could examine the metal briefcase in the middle of the room a door on the other end of the room opened and two figures came into view. A flashlight shone in her face.
"It's the psycho-lawyer!" A voice Lilah recognized as Angel's associate Gunn said.
"I should have known Angel would try something like this. He's so predictable that way. Of course I was hoping you wouldn't make it this far, but I've got all I wanted. Say hi to Angel for me," Lilah turned and ran out of the lab.
Gunn started to chase her, but Xander caught him by the arm. "We don't have time, let's grab the book and get the hell out of here."
"Ok, a hundred more yards and you're there," Riley told Giles and Willow. He was directing the pair to the cell where Buffy was being held.
"I see it," Giles said as he picked up his pace.
"Uh, should the door be open?" Willow asked.
"I wouldn't imagine so," Giles replied as he examined the open door. "It would appear the counter-agent worked too well," Giles observed as he shone his flashlight across the empty room. "She must have gone this way," he told Willow, and they began running down the hall. AS they ran the sounds of a fight grew more and more loud.
"It think we found her," Willow observed after they rounded a corner. Buffy was fighting with a guard. Several other already guards lay on the floor.
"Kidnap me will you?" Buffy shouted as she punched the guard. "Drug me into oblivion?" Another punch. "And then try to sell me on the black market? I so don't think so!" Buffy roared before grabbing the man and slamming him into the wall. The guard slumped to the ground and did not get up. "Come on you pansies, get up. I'm not done kicking your asses," Buffy taunted.
"Buffy!" Willow shouted to her friend.
Buffy turned and saw her friends. "Will, Giles, how did you get here?"
"We're here to rescue you," Willow explained as the two friends hugged.
"But how?" Buffy repeated.
"We'll explain later, Angel is waiting for us," Giles said. "Gilderoy here, we have the target," he said into his radio.
"Who's Giles talking to?" Buffy asked Willow.
"Oh, Riley gave us these super-cool spy radios and I blessed them so our magic EMP wouldn't take them out."
"The what now?" Buffy asked in confusion.
"As I've already said, we'll explain later. Right now though we have to hurry." Giles grabbed Buffy by the arm and started to run down the hallway.
"Wait, did you say Angel?" Buffy asked.
"Yes, Angel is holding open our only means of escape, but that will be a moot point if we don't get there before the field collapses."
They found Angel standing in front of the open doorway. "Buffy, thank God you're alright," the vampire said when he saw the Slayer.
"Where are Xander and Gunn?" Giles asked.
"Right behind you," Xander said as he and Gunn came to a stop.
"Do you have the amulet?" Giles asked the pair.
Gunn shook his head, "Lilah beat us to it."
"Uh guys, not to rush you, but we've got a minute before the field fails and the second device goes off."
"Alright, everybody out!" Angel hollered. He waited for the rest of the group to run through the door before he dove through the opening. The door snapped shut behind him and there was a faint rumble in the air.
"Uhm oops, I guess I misjudged that a little," Willow said. "There's still ten second on my watch."
"What did you just do Will?" Buffy asked.
"We left behind a paralysis ward that would affect the entire structure, and we set it to go off when an electrical current was applied. So when the power went out we plugged it into a wall outlet, and when the power came back onzap." Willow smiled at her ingenuity.
"Good going Willow!" Buffy said, complimenting her friend. "Where's Sydney?" She asked the group. She deliberately did not look at Angel, she didn't want to deal with him at that moment.
"Still in there," Giles pointed towards SD-6. "She thought it would be less suspicious if she was petrified with the rest of her colleagues.."
"We have to get going," Angel said. "That ward won't last forever.
"Angel is correct, it's past time to leave. Which way to the surface?" Giles asked the vampire.
"Follow the tunnel a quarter-mile. It will take you to the rendezvous point with Riley."
Giles nodded, "We'll meet you back at the hotel."
"It's good to see you again Buffy," Angel said before disappearing into the tunnel.
"Hey guys," Buffy said. "Two things. One, thanks for getting me out of there, and two," she swayed on her feet, "I don't think all of that gas is out of my system." The world swam before Buffy's eyes and she fell unconscious into Xander's arms.
Lilah sat in her office staring at the amulet of Rambaldus lying on desk. She reached out and gently caressed the runes etched into the golden disc. "So much power," she whispered to herself.
"All of which is completely useless without the blood of the Slayer," Gavin said from the doorway. Lilah jerked her head up and saw her rival stride into her office. "You did remember that part of the prophecy, didn't you?"
"Of course I did," Lilah snapped, "but there wasn't time to get both. Angel sent his cronies to free his precious Slayer and that fool Arvin Sloane was greedy enough to be suckered by them."
"Why didn't you tell Sloane about Angel?"
Lilah smirked, "Because I wanted to see how Sloane's people handled it without any advance warning. Besides, I think they had inside help."
Gavin smiled, "And will you be sharing that hunch with Mr. Sloane?"
"Of course not, it's his business, not mine." Lilah stood up and walked over to Gavin, "Anyway, who says we need the blood of that Slayer?"
To be Continued