Chapter 11
Willow fought her way back to consciousness as the pounding on her door increased in urgency.
Wesley, looking disheveled and angry, stood outside her door. She looked at the bright red numbers on the clock
in the living room and back at Wesley. "It's one o'clock," she said wearily, still disoriented by her dream. "What's
going on?"
"Get dressed. We're going to the hotel. I'll call and let them know we're on the way."
"What happened?"
"I'll fill you in later. Let's do hurry."
"Fine." Willow turned and walked down the hall to the bedroom.
Wesley watched her walk away and sighed. He picked up the phone and dialed the number to Fred's room,
instinctively knowing to try there first.
His instincts were confirmed when Gunn answered the phone. "Hello," he barked out, obviously awoken from
sleep.
"This is Wesley. Willow and I are on the way over. Could you and Fred please meet us downstairs? We have a
problem."
"Demon? Should we gear up?"
"Wolfram and Hart. We'll discuss it when we get there."
"A'ight. See you soon." Gunn hung up the phone and smiled as he looked at Fred, sleeping peacefully against his
chest. He rubbed his eyes, and then carefully shook her awake.
Meanwhile, Willow rejoined Wesley in the living room. He looked her up and down, noticing her tight jeans and
peasant blouse and nodded in approval.
"Let's go," he said grasping his keys and moving past her. He opened the door and paused, then stepped back
out of her way, politely indicating for her to proceed first.
No sarcastic remark or regal stance suggested it was her due, as would have been the case with Cordelia. Willow
seemed oblivious to the courtesy, as she walked casually out the door, and then turned to look expectantly at
him.
Wesley cleared his throat, drawing his gaze away from her denim-encased hips, back to her eyes, and jerked his
head toward the street. "This way."
He stepped in front of his motorcycle and started to climb on. Willow nervously looked at the motorcycle and at
Wesley as he handed her a bright pink helmet.
"What's wrong? Have you never ridden a motorcycle before?" Willow blushed and shook her head. "It's easy, just
hold on and try to relax with me into the turns. You'll do fine."
Willow nodded again and shoved the helmet onto her head, willing her face to return to its normal color. She slid
behind Wesley and wrapped her hands daintily around his waist.
He reached down and clasped her hands in one of his, squeezing reassuringly, before kicking the bike into
motion.
She clung to him as the machine roared beneath their thighs, eating up the miles between Cordelia's apartment
and the hotel. She could feel the muscles of his abdomen under her hands and his legs against hers as he
expertly guided the motorcycle around curves and turns. Despite the danger inherent in the ride, she felt
strangely safe and yet exhilarated as the night air rushed forward to greet them.
They arrived shortly to the hotel where Wesley braked and killed the engine. They sat there for a moment before
he removed his helmet and turned to assist her off the bike. She waited for him to secure the helmets and
dismount. They walked into the Hyperion together.
Fred and Gunn were waiting on the couch. Willow could hear them playfully teasing each other.
"Yes, you do..." Gunn leaned over and kissed Fred's nose.
"Nu-uh, do not," Fred countered, pushing Gunn away and giggling when he held onto her and leaned over to
place another random kiss.
Wesley cleared his throat and Gunn looked up, at first surprised. His expression soon morphed into one of
militant defensiveness as Fred scrambled to sit upright, her knees tucked to her chest. Her head dipped down so
that her hair covered the reddened innocence of her expression.
Willow looked up at Wesley, his expression shedding new light on the dynamics of the situation. She filed the
information away for future scrutiny.
When they were all seated, they waited curiously for Wesley to tell them why he had called this meeting.
"What's up, English?" Gunn asked, like all of them, wanting to know what they had given up their sleep for.
"It's Wolfram and Hart. They've kidnapped Connor - and he knows where Angel is."
**********
Chapter 12
They all sat in stunned silence for a moment before exploding in a million questions.
Gunn took the floor from the ladies, as they retreated from the sheer energy of his voice. "What do you mean he
knows where Angel is and what the hell does Wolfram and Hart want with him now?"
"Apparently Holtz is dead and Justine convinced Connor that Angel did the deed. She said that Connor tortured
him, but implied that he was still alive and suffering."
Gunn swore. "What makes you think you can trust her?"
"Connor seemed to confirm what she said when he attacked her. However, Gavin Park got a hold of him before I
could question him further.
"We need to get him back."
"How do we do that?" Fred asked. "We don't know where they took him."
Wesley turned to Willow and lifted an eyebrow questioningly.
Willow broke out in a cold sweat, her palms dampening as she squeezed her folded hands together. She thought
about the magic. She thought of her dream, of Oz's words and of Tara's. She thought of her words to Giles. "The
magic is part of me. I have to face it and face myself."
To herself, she said, "I can do this." Aloud, she repeated, "I can do this. I can find Connor with a locator spell."
Fred and Gunn looked at her surprised, both a little wary and unaccustomed to magic. It was Wesley who spoke
up, supporting Willow and trying to set her at ease. "What do you need?"
When the ingredients had been assembled, Willow sat on the floor, cross-legged, a large map in front of her. In
her hands, she held a mortar that contained a reddish powder. She sprinkled the powder on the map with her
right hand. Fred watched, carefully hidden on the couch, peeking over the back to see Willow perform the spell.
Gunn was polishing a sword, trying to ignore the proceeding. Wesley observed intently, sensing the energy
around the young witch and hoped for all of their sakes that they were doing the right thing.
Willow finished chanting and laid the bowl aside. She spoke carefully and passed her hand a few inches over the
paper. The red powder skittered away as if blown by a breeze. Only one small spot remained. Willow held her
hand over it and tried to get an impression of the location.
"It's a large room, like an office, but with monitors, televisions, lots of them. There are people, a long table."
Wesley looked over at the map, trying to read the location. "Wolfram and Hart, the offices - a conference room,
maybe?"
Willow nodded in agreement.
Gunn spoke up. "We're going to need a plan. Angel usually handles Fort Knox."
"Gunn's right. Security is quite tight in that place. We need a way in and ultimately, a way out. We need to be
prepared for anything and we need to get Connor out and do it quickly."
"They don't know Willow," Fred offered shyly, having moved quietly toward them when they began planning.
"True," Willow conceded, "but I think it's going to take all of us." She looked at Fred appraisingly. "Besides, a few
changes and they won't know you either."
"So what's the plan?" Gunn asked.
"We walk right in the front door," Willow smiled wickedly.
**********
Chapter 13
Willow followed Wesley up to the roof. He was standing at the edge, watching the sun come up. She handed him
one of the cups of coffee she carried and sipped slowly at hers.
"Sorry, it's decaf. I'm a no-caf kind of girl. Makes me jumpy. Jumpy's not a good thing right now."
Wesley nodded. "Decaf's fine."
"So, I thought we agreed to get some rest - storming the enemy gates later - and all that."
"Yes, well, I don't feel much like sleeping."
"Yeah, doubt Fred and Gunn are sleeping either."
This earned her a sharp look from Wesley. She remembered the earlier exchange and spoke up. "They seem
good for each other. There's an innocence about them, even Gunn with his tough exterior. They've never really
known the darkness. At least not like us, which is kind of incredible when you think of what they do, the battles
they face on a daily basis.
"That innocence can be very appealing," Willow continued, "Especially when your own reality has become so
dark. The trick is to acknowledge it, support it, whatever, without smothering it. You can't hold onto the light in
someone else because you've lost your own. You both lose that way."
Willow had a far away look in her eyes. "You need to find another way to feel the light, maybe with someone else
who is looking for it as well, and create your own."
Wesley turned away from the rising sun to look at her speculatively. He lifted his glass in mock salute, as he had
that day in is apartment. "Here's to the light.
"Now, what do you say we go kick a little ass, first?"
Willow smiled and followed him off the roof and downstairs to the lobby.
Fred and Gunn were waiting for them there. "We couldn't sleep," Fred offered apologetically, flightily pacing
around the room.
"It's okay, Fred, I think we're all ready to go," Willow said, looking back up the stairs to Wesley, who stood
above her.
He placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.
Willow searched Cordelia's closet at the hotel and found a nice, tailored skirt and jacket in black, along with a
pale peach shell. They had also found stockings and heels. Once Willow pulled Fred's hair into an elegant French
twist and applied a little make-up, the young physicist looked like a whole new woman, or at least a young
associate of a prestigious law firm.
They also raided Angel's closet, looking for something that would fit their young warrior. They decided on a pair
of tailored pants, a white shirt, and dark tie. The outfit had been a source of frustration and amusement, when
Gun declared, "Angel may be able to pull off the whole leather pants and silk shirt, or velvet 'king of the night'
look, but my name isn't Angel or Michael Jackson and I refuse to look like some 70's pimp daddy reject."
Fred and Willow had promptly dissolved into giggles, while Wesley cleared his throat and kept looking. Willow
thought she might have seen his shoulders shaking as he buried his head in the closet to keep searching.
Wesley took no pains to disguise his appearance, having explained to the group, in as few words as possible, his
offer from Lilah. She would be their unwitting ally in their mission.
Willow, after being informed of the nature of the enemy's stronghold, decided to go as herself as well, but with a
slight twist. She played up the aura of magic surrounding her. Her diminished recall of recent events helped lend
to the illusion that she may be trying to hide them. She reeked of dark magic. She wore dark glasses to hide her
sparkling clear eyes. She could be a prospective client or ally.
When they arrived at the offices, Wesley entered first. He stopped at the front desk and was escorted to Lilah's
office.
Willow waited quietly in the park outside. She shushed the other two, as she listened quietly through the bond
she had with Wesley. As he had predicted, Lilah was taking him to Connor. Her belief in his anger and alienation,
combined with her pique at being left out of the mission to capture the boy had left her reckless.
Willow broke the connection and turned to Fred. "They're on the seventeenth floor. Relax; act like you belong. If
you don't act like you're doing something wrong, no one else will either."
Fred took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She clutched at the soft-sided briefcase she carried. Gunn
fell into step beside her. She began talking about the portal to Pylea, how it worked, the physics behind it and
how she had discovered it. Wesley had suggested the topic, pointing out that she would be more relaxed and
less self-conscious with the familiar topic. It would also pass for acceptable conversation at the strange firm.
Willow waited until they were in the elevator before entering the building. She walked up to the desk. "Gavin
Park," she said smokily.
"May I ask who's calling?" the secretary inquired.
"No, you may not," Willow answered, letting her aura bristle around her.
"One moment," the secretary pressed a button and spoke to another secretary.
"He's in a meeting, right now, but if you'd like to wait, someone will be with you shortly."
"No, I don't think I would," Willow answered, smoke filled the lobby and she appeared to vanish before the
startled woman's eyes.
She headed quickly for the stairs and glided quickly up to the appropriate floor. She could feel the alarm that had
been raised as she came upon Gunn and Fred. She was glad that the illusion she had used had worked.
She reached out and put a hand on each of their shoulders. Fred yelped in surprise. Willow motioned them to be
quiet and held them back. Down the hall, they could see the door open and Gavin exit, as Willow had hoped. Her
use of his name as her calling card had resulted in him being summoned when she disappeared. She didn't know
how long her ruse would earn them. She hoped it was enough.
They waited until the angry lawyer was out of sight before going to the door from which he had just exited.
Willow turned to the other two, as Gunn began distributing weapons. "Everyone ready?"
They nodded and Willow opened the door.
**********
Chapter 14
Lilah was arguing with Linwood while Wesley stood next to her, nonchalantly surveying the room. Connor was
being held behind a glass wall in a connecting room. The lawyers were watching the security monitors, as the
scene Willow had set into motion played out. There were two other lawyers and four goons, who appeared to be
security or bodyguards, near the hi-tech cage. Connor laid in a fetal position on the floor, clutching his stomach,
his face a feral grimace of pain.
They moved quickly, not knowing how much time they would have to control the situation. Gunn went after the
goons while Fred threatened the lawyers with a sword, backing them into a corner. Lilah turned, angry with Wes
for duping her, and decked him.
He clutched his jaw with his left hand, and then backhanded her across her cheekbone with his right. She went
flying to the floor. Wes hurried over to assist Gunn, who was outnumbered.
Lilah sat up, holding her cheek. She glanced around and moved toward Wesley when the room darkened, like a
smoke-filled bar. Linwood turned from where he was opening the glass door and looked in shock, as the guards'
blows were suddenly unable to connect with Wesley or Gunn.
He rushed in and shocked the young man with a tazer, as he had started to attack upon sensing freedom. The
lawyer then lifted the boy and held him as a shield, the tazer pressed tightly against his jugular.
Wes and Gunn subdued the guards, knocking them unconscious, just as Gavin returned with a security
detachment of three large demons. He had been alerted to the situation by the silent alarm Lilah pressed.
The demons rushed toward Wesley and Gunn while Lilah shouted to Gavin. "The witch, she's protecting them."
The demons' blows continued to glance off the two in proof of this.
Linwood took advantage of the distraction to maneuver for a better position. Gavin picked up a nearby vase and
hit Willow over the head with the priceless artifact. Her control slipped and one of the demons sliced Gunn's arm
with a large claw.
Fred cried out in fear. One of the lawyers she was guarding tried to take advantage of her distraction, but Fred
turned on them with renewed purpose, holding onto her sword with serious resolve.
Connor broke free from his captor, as Linwood watched Willow turn on Gavin. The diminutive redhead lifted the
lawyer by his throat and pinned him one-handed, helpless against the wall. He struggled to get free as Connor
knocked Linwood to the floor.
He joined Wesley and Gunn in attacking the demons. He fought like a wild beast, almost hitting Wesley a time or
two. Wesley was thankful for the protection provided by Willow, and glanced over to check on her. Lilah was
making her way toward the door and Willow. He picked up a heavy volume from the nearby table and flung it at
the lawyer's head.
One of the demons had fallen, allowing Connor to go after Linwood, who was starting to recover. Wesley was
once again reminded of Angel, as he watched the vampire's son attack the older lawyer. Linwood fought back,
once again hitting Connor with the force of the tazer. The boy fell to the floor and twitched once before becoming
still.
"No!" Wesley cried out as Linwood kicked the motionless boy in the ribs. He attacked the demon with renewed
vigor, killing it quickly and rushing Linwood. His hope of finding Angel, of making peace with the vampire, was
resting on the shoulders of the boy whose condition was unknown.
Gunn killed the last demon and turned to survey the situation. He turned to Wesley and stood between him and
Linwood, holding the bloodied sword against the lawyer's neck. "Wes, you better go take care of your girl. I got
this one."
Wes saw Willow, still holding Gavin against the wall, as he gasped for air. She was shaking, hate, anger and fear
rolling off her in waves. He walked to her, speaking softly. "Willow, it's over. You can let him go now. He's not a
threat. I'll deal with him now. I need you here, with us. I need you to check on Connor. Let him go."
The last he spoke with steely intent, and she responded, releasing Gavin to slide down the wall, holding his neck
and gasping. Willow crumbled to the floor and began to cry.
"Willow -- go check on Connor. Help him," Wesley demanded sharply as he grabbed a handful of Gavin's jacket
and jerked him to his feet.
Willow did as he said, crawling over to where Connor still lay. She placed her fingers against his neck, feeling a
bit of calmness reach her when she registered the strong beat. She shook him gently, and he began to regain
consciousness.
Gunn forced Linwood toward the room where Connor had been held. He picked up the tazer, as he walked
passed where it had fallen to the floor earlier. He was careful to keep his eyes, and sword, on the lawyer. When
Linwood was in the cell, he struck the lawyer on the side of the head with the hilt of the sword, knocking him
unconscious.
Gunn went over to help Fred. He gently took the sword from her hands, reassuring her. He pointed the sword at
the lawyers and motioned with it, and a jerk of his head, that they were to move toward the cell. He escorted
them inside and then stood by the control panel. Wesley was right behind him with Gavin. When Gavin was
inside, Wesley went over and picked Lilah up, dropping her on her backside in the room as well. Gunn pressed a
button and the door slid closed.
Willow helped Connor to his feet, and he jerked away from her as soon as he was standing. They all regrouped at
the door.
Wesley turned to Connor. "We're getting out of here. You're welcome to join us. Are you ready to help us now?"
Connor grunted and answered affirmatively.
Wesley then looked at Willow. "Are you going to be alright? We still have to get out of here."
"I'll be okay," she said tightly. "Let's just get out of Dodge."
Wesley nodded and opened the door a crack. The hall was surprisingly empty. They walked quickly to the
stairway that Willow had used. They found it abandoned and cautiously made their way down to the ground
floor.
"Do we rush it, or go out the same way we came in?" Willow looked to Wesley for advice.
"They might recognize you, or Connor and me. I think Fred and Gunn might be safe. However, if an alarm has
been raised we might all be in danger. How are you doing? Any tricks left up your sleeves?"
"I'm pretty drained." She turned to Fred and Gunn. "You guys up to clearing the way? You go first. Try to avoid
everyone. Same drill as before. Then, we'll go once you guys are out of the building."
"Get the truck, Gunn," Wesley asked, "we may need a quick getaway. And take care of her." His tone made it
clear that there might be trouble.
Gunn and Fred got out with no problem. They broke into a run just outside the door. Trouble was just behind
them in the form of security guards that moved to the door and started checking identification.
Wesley swore and looked to the other two. He mouthed silently, "One... two... three." He pulled open the door
and they ran for it.
The guards left the door and went after Wesley as he was in the lead and looked like the biggest threat. Willow
grabbed Connor's hand and pulled him with her toward the door, when he looked like he was going to join the
fracas. Wesley slugged one of the men and ran after them. Gunn was as good as his word and had the truck
waiting right outside the main doors. They jumped into the back and Gunn accelerated wildly.
They had pulled it off.
**********
Chapter 15
The drive back to the hotel was a quiet one, where each seemed lost in their thoughts. Even Fred was
uncharacteristically silent.
Willow sat in the back of the truck with her eyes closed. Her chin rested on her knees, which were drawn tightly
to her chest, with her arms clasped around them.
Wesley sat in one of the corners, his relaxed posture contradicting his intense stare, as he watched Connor, who
was perched uneasily in the opposite corner. The young man seemed to dance on the balls of his feet, as if he
would leap from the moving vehicle at any moment.
It was with little relief that they all arrived back at the hotel, despite their apparent victory. They went inside and
the women took up their now customary perches in the reception area. Gunn hung back at the door to waylay
Wesley. He placed his hand on the older man's arm and warned quietly, "Go easy on the boy, English. 'Cause he
definitely looks the type to spook easy."
Wesley gave a tight, little nod in acknowledgement and then went to sit down.
Gunn looked over at Wesley, sitting opposite Willow, and at Fred who was balanced nervously on the edge of the
couch. Willow still held her semi-fetal position in the chair and Connor alternately stalked from and hid in the
shadows surrounding them. Gunn decided to do something about this mess.
"Yo! Guys, I'll be right back. Don't everybody run off, ok?" He rolled his eyes and walked back out the door,
gripping his keys.
When he returned twenty minutes later, Connor seemed to have been the only one to have moved, though he
was still lurking. Gunn whistled a cheery tune and dumped his packages on the table. He ignored everyone's
silence and began talking, to them, to himself, aloud, as he distributed coffees and doughnuts to everyone.
Willow stared blankly. Fred offered a shy smile and Wesley looked at him speculatively. Gunn placed Connor's
coffee on the corner of the table closest to the boy and then sat back.
The boy darted forward and took the drink before settling back into the corner. Gunn paid him no mind and
continued to chat with Fred, who was smiling and talking back. Powdered sugar coated her fingers and lips and
he longed to reach out and brush away the sweetness, especially when a drop of jelly joined it next to her
mouth.
"What?" she asked, looking around wildly as a huge grin spread across his face.
"Nothing," he replied with a smile and a shake of his head.
"Char-les?"
"It's nothing. You just have this little bit of..." He reached out and ran his thumb near her lip. Her tongue darted
out to lick it in an unconscious gesture and he groaned softly.
Wesley cleared his throat and Fred got all flustered, reaching for a napkin and rambling absently to herself. Gunn
took this opportunity to draw Wesley into the conversation, and to start coaxing Willow out as well.
Gunn noticed that Connor had been intrigued by the play between him and Fred, and felt a little weird, but if it
helped his cause, he'd flirt with that girl anytime. Wesley seemed to have forgotten about Connor for the
moment.
Willow eventually started to relax, and as Gunn figured he would, Connor eventually came out to get a doughnut
of his own. He didn't retreat as far this time. When he took his second doughnut, he actually remained crouched
at the table.
Suddenly, Willow cried out, rocking forward harshly and barely setting her coffee down before she was once
again flung back into the chair. Wesley was up in an instant, reaching for her and holding her through the vision,
and afterward as she told them the details.
If they were surprised when Connor joined them at the weapons cabinet, and in their fight with the demon, no
one said anything. Everyone had their own demons, and their own reasons for fighting, even Connor.
**********
Willow fought her way back to consciousness as the pounding on her door increased in urgency.
Wesley, looking disheveled and angry, stood outside her door. She looked at the bright red numbers on the clock
in the living room and back at Wesley. "It's one o'clock," she said wearily, still disoriented by her dream. "What's
going on?"
"Get dressed. We're going to the hotel. I'll call and let them know we're on the way."
"What happened?"
"I'll fill you in later. Let's do hurry."
"Fine." Willow turned and walked down the hall to the bedroom.
Wesley watched her walk away and sighed. He picked up the phone and dialed the number to Fred's room,
instinctively knowing to try there first.
His instincts were confirmed when Gunn answered the phone. "Hello," he barked out, obviously awoken from
sleep.
"This is Wesley. Willow and I are on the way over. Could you and Fred please meet us downstairs? We have a
problem."
"Demon? Should we gear up?"
"Wolfram and Hart. We'll discuss it when we get there."
"A'ight. See you soon." Gunn hung up the phone and smiled as he looked at Fred, sleeping peacefully against his
chest. He rubbed his eyes, and then carefully shook her awake.
Meanwhile, Willow rejoined Wesley in the living room. He looked her up and down, noticing her tight jeans and
peasant blouse and nodded in approval.
"Let's go," he said grasping his keys and moving past her. He opened the door and paused, then stepped back
out of her way, politely indicating for her to proceed first.
No sarcastic remark or regal stance suggested it was her due, as would have been the case with Cordelia. Willow
seemed oblivious to the courtesy, as she walked casually out the door, and then turned to look expectantly at
him.
Wesley cleared his throat, drawing his gaze away from her denim-encased hips, back to her eyes, and jerked his
head toward the street. "This way."
He stepped in front of his motorcycle and started to climb on. Willow nervously looked at the motorcycle and at
Wesley as he handed her a bright pink helmet.
"What's wrong? Have you never ridden a motorcycle before?" Willow blushed and shook her head. "It's easy, just
hold on and try to relax with me into the turns. You'll do fine."
Willow nodded again and shoved the helmet onto her head, willing her face to return to its normal color. She slid
behind Wesley and wrapped her hands daintily around his waist.
He reached down and clasped her hands in one of his, squeezing reassuringly, before kicking the bike into
motion.
She clung to him as the machine roared beneath their thighs, eating up the miles between Cordelia's apartment
and the hotel. She could feel the muscles of his abdomen under her hands and his legs against hers as he
expertly guided the motorcycle around curves and turns. Despite the danger inherent in the ride, she felt
strangely safe and yet exhilarated as the night air rushed forward to greet them.
They arrived shortly to the hotel where Wesley braked and killed the engine. They sat there for a moment before
he removed his helmet and turned to assist her off the bike. She waited for him to secure the helmets and
dismount. They walked into the Hyperion together.
Fred and Gunn were waiting on the couch. Willow could hear them playfully teasing each other.
"Yes, you do..." Gunn leaned over and kissed Fred's nose.
"Nu-uh, do not," Fred countered, pushing Gunn away and giggling when he held onto her and leaned over to
place another random kiss.
Wesley cleared his throat and Gunn looked up, at first surprised. His expression soon morphed into one of
militant defensiveness as Fred scrambled to sit upright, her knees tucked to her chest. Her head dipped down so
that her hair covered the reddened innocence of her expression.
Willow looked up at Wesley, his expression shedding new light on the dynamics of the situation. She filed the
information away for future scrutiny.
When they were all seated, they waited curiously for Wesley to tell them why he had called this meeting.
"What's up, English?" Gunn asked, like all of them, wanting to know what they had given up their sleep for.
"It's Wolfram and Hart. They've kidnapped Connor - and he knows where Angel is."
**********
Chapter 12
They all sat in stunned silence for a moment before exploding in a million questions.
Gunn took the floor from the ladies, as they retreated from the sheer energy of his voice. "What do you mean he
knows where Angel is and what the hell does Wolfram and Hart want with him now?"
"Apparently Holtz is dead and Justine convinced Connor that Angel did the deed. She said that Connor tortured
him, but implied that he was still alive and suffering."
Gunn swore. "What makes you think you can trust her?"
"Connor seemed to confirm what she said when he attacked her. However, Gavin Park got a hold of him before I
could question him further.
"We need to get him back."
"How do we do that?" Fred asked. "We don't know where they took him."
Wesley turned to Willow and lifted an eyebrow questioningly.
Willow broke out in a cold sweat, her palms dampening as she squeezed her folded hands together. She thought
about the magic. She thought of her dream, of Oz's words and of Tara's. She thought of her words to Giles. "The
magic is part of me. I have to face it and face myself."
To herself, she said, "I can do this." Aloud, she repeated, "I can do this. I can find Connor with a locator spell."
Fred and Gunn looked at her surprised, both a little wary and unaccustomed to magic. It was Wesley who spoke
up, supporting Willow and trying to set her at ease. "What do you need?"
When the ingredients had been assembled, Willow sat on the floor, cross-legged, a large map in front of her. In
her hands, she held a mortar that contained a reddish powder. She sprinkled the powder on the map with her
right hand. Fred watched, carefully hidden on the couch, peeking over the back to see Willow perform the spell.
Gunn was polishing a sword, trying to ignore the proceeding. Wesley observed intently, sensing the energy
around the young witch and hoped for all of their sakes that they were doing the right thing.
Willow finished chanting and laid the bowl aside. She spoke carefully and passed her hand a few inches over the
paper. The red powder skittered away as if blown by a breeze. Only one small spot remained. Willow held her
hand over it and tried to get an impression of the location.
"It's a large room, like an office, but with monitors, televisions, lots of them. There are people, a long table."
Wesley looked over at the map, trying to read the location. "Wolfram and Hart, the offices - a conference room,
maybe?"
Willow nodded in agreement.
Gunn spoke up. "We're going to need a plan. Angel usually handles Fort Knox."
"Gunn's right. Security is quite tight in that place. We need a way in and ultimately, a way out. We need to be
prepared for anything and we need to get Connor out and do it quickly."
"They don't know Willow," Fred offered shyly, having moved quietly toward them when they began planning.
"True," Willow conceded, "but I think it's going to take all of us." She looked at Fred appraisingly. "Besides, a few
changes and they won't know you either."
"So what's the plan?" Gunn asked.
"We walk right in the front door," Willow smiled wickedly.
**********
Chapter 13
Willow followed Wesley up to the roof. He was standing at the edge, watching the sun come up. She handed him
one of the cups of coffee she carried and sipped slowly at hers.
"Sorry, it's decaf. I'm a no-caf kind of girl. Makes me jumpy. Jumpy's not a good thing right now."
Wesley nodded. "Decaf's fine."
"So, I thought we agreed to get some rest - storming the enemy gates later - and all that."
"Yes, well, I don't feel much like sleeping."
"Yeah, doubt Fred and Gunn are sleeping either."
This earned her a sharp look from Wesley. She remembered the earlier exchange and spoke up. "They seem
good for each other. There's an innocence about them, even Gunn with his tough exterior. They've never really
known the darkness. At least not like us, which is kind of incredible when you think of what they do, the battles
they face on a daily basis.
"That innocence can be very appealing," Willow continued, "Especially when your own reality has become so
dark. The trick is to acknowledge it, support it, whatever, without smothering it. You can't hold onto the light in
someone else because you've lost your own. You both lose that way."
Willow had a far away look in her eyes. "You need to find another way to feel the light, maybe with someone else
who is looking for it as well, and create your own."
Wesley turned away from the rising sun to look at her speculatively. He lifted his glass in mock salute, as he had
that day in is apartment. "Here's to the light.
"Now, what do you say we go kick a little ass, first?"
Willow smiled and followed him off the roof and downstairs to the lobby.
Fred and Gunn were waiting for them there. "We couldn't sleep," Fred offered apologetically, flightily pacing
around the room.
"It's okay, Fred, I think we're all ready to go," Willow said, looking back up the stairs to Wesley, who stood
above her.
He placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.
Willow searched Cordelia's closet at the hotel and found a nice, tailored skirt and jacket in black, along with a
pale peach shell. They had also found stockings and heels. Once Willow pulled Fred's hair into an elegant French
twist and applied a little make-up, the young physicist looked like a whole new woman, or at least a young
associate of a prestigious law firm.
They also raided Angel's closet, looking for something that would fit their young warrior. They decided on a pair
of tailored pants, a white shirt, and dark tie. The outfit had been a source of frustration and amusement, when
Gun declared, "Angel may be able to pull off the whole leather pants and silk shirt, or velvet 'king of the night'
look, but my name isn't Angel or Michael Jackson and I refuse to look like some 70's pimp daddy reject."
Fred and Willow had promptly dissolved into giggles, while Wesley cleared his throat and kept looking. Willow
thought she might have seen his shoulders shaking as he buried his head in the closet to keep searching.
Wesley took no pains to disguise his appearance, having explained to the group, in as few words as possible, his
offer from Lilah. She would be their unwitting ally in their mission.
Willow, after being informed of the nature of the enemy's stronghold, decided to go as herself as well, but with a
slight twist. She played up the aura of magic surrounding her. Her diminished recall of recent events helped lend
to the illusion that she may be trying to hide them. She reeked of dark magic. She wore dark glasses to hide her
sparkling clear eyes. She could be a prospective client or ally.
When they arrived at the offices, Wesley entered first. He stopped at the front desk and was escorted to Lilah's
office.
Willow waited quietly in the park outside. She shushed the other two, as she listened quietly through the bond
she had with Wesley. As he had predicted, Lilah was taking him to Connor. Her belief in his anger and alienation,
combined with her pique at being left out of the mission to capture the boy had left her reckless.
Willow broke the connection and turned to Fred. "They're on the seventeenth floor. Relax; act like you belong. If
you don't act like you're doing something wrong, no one else will either."
Fred took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She clutched at the soft-sided briefcase she carried. Gunn
fell into step beside her. She began talking about the portal to Pylea, how it worked, the physics behind it and
how she had discovered it. Wesley had suggested the topic, pointing out that she would be more relaxed and
less self-conscious with the familiar topic. It would also pass for acceptable conversation at the strange firm.
Willow waited until they were in the elevator before entering the building. She walked up to the desk. "Gavin
Park," she said smokily.
"May I ask who's calling?" the secretary inquired.
"No, you may not," Willow answered, letting her aura bristle around her.
"One moment," the secretary pressed a button and spoke to another secretary.
"He's in a meeting, right now, but if you'd like to wait, someone will be with you shortly."
"No, I don't think I would," Willow answered, smoke filled the lobby and she appeared to vanish before the
startled woman's eyes.
She headed quickly for the stairs and glided quickly up to the appropriate floor. She could feel the alarm that had
been raised as she came upon Gunn and Fred. She was glad that the illusion she had used had worked.
She reached out and put a hand on each of their shoulders. Fred yelped in surprise. Willow motioned them to be
quiet and held them back. Down the hall, they could see the door open and Gavin exit, as Willow had hoped. Her
use of his name as her calling card had resulted in him being summoned when she disappeared. She didn't know
how long her ruse would earn them. She hoped it was enough.
They waited until the angry lawyer was out of sight before going to the door from which he had just exited.
Willow turned to the other two, as Gunn began distributing weapons. "Everyone ready?"
They nodded and Willow opened the door.
**********
Chapter 14
Lilah was arguing with Linwood while Wesley stood next to her, nonchalantly surveying the room. Connor was
being held behind a glass wall in a connecting room. The lawyers were watching the security monitors, as the
scene Willow had set into motion played out. There were two other lawyers and four goons, who appeared to be
security or bodyguards, near the hi-tech cage. Connor laid in a fetal position on the floor, clutching his stomach,
his face a feral grimace of pain.
They moved quickly, not knowing how much time they would have to control the situation. Gunn went after the
goons while Fred threatened the lawyers with a sword, backing them into a corner. Lilah turned, angry with Wes
for duping her, and decked him.
He clutched his jaw with his left hand, and then backhanded her across her cheekbone with his right. She went
flying to the floor. Wes hurried over to assist Gunn, who was outnumbered.
Lilah sat up, holding her cheek. She glanced around and moved toward Wesley when the room darkened, like a
smoke-filled bar. Linwood turned from where he was opening the glass door and looked in shock, as the guards'
blows were suddenly unable to connect with Wesley or Gunn.
He rushed in and shocked the young man with a tazer, as he had started to attack upon sensing freedom. The
lawyer then lifted the boy and held him as a shield, the tazer pressed tightly against his jugular.
Wes and Gunn subdued the guards, knocking them unconscious, just as Gavin returned with a security
detachment of three large demons. He had been alerted to the situation by the silent alarm Lilah pressed.
The demons rushed toward Wesley and Gunn while Lilah shouted to Gavin. "The witch, she's protecting them."
The demons' blows continued to glance off the two in proof of this.
Linwood took advantage of the distraction to maneuver for a better position. Gavin picked up a nearby vase and
hit Willow over the head with the priceless artifact. Her control slipped and one of the demons sliced Gunn's arm
with a large claw.
Fred cried out in fear. One of the lawyers she was guarding tried to take advantage of her distraction, but Fred
turned on them with renewed purpose, holding onto her sword with serious resolve.
Connor broke free from his captor, as Linwood watched Willow turn on Gavin. The diminutive redhead lifted the
lawyer by his throat and pinned him one-handed, helpless against the wall. He struggled to get free as Connor
knocked Linwood to the floor.
He joined Wesley and Gunn in attacking the demons. He fought like a wild beast, almost hitting Wesley a time or
two. Wesley was thankful for the protection provided by Willow, and glanced over to check on her. Lilah was
making her way toward the door and Willow. He picked up a heavy volume from the nearby table and flung it at
the lawyer's head.
One of the demons had fallen, allowing Connor to go after Linwood, who was starting to recover. Wesley was
once again reminded of Angel, as he watched the vampire's son attack the older lawyer. Linwood fought back,
once again hitting Connor with the force of the tazer. The boy fell to the floor and twitched once before becoming
still.
"No!" Wesley cried out as Linwood kicked the motionless boy in the ribs. He attacked the demon with renewed
vigor, killing it quickly and rushing Linwood. His hope of finding Angel, of making peace with the vampire, was
resting on the shoulders of the boy whose condition was unknown.
Gunn killed the last demon and turned to survey the situation. He turned to Wesley and stood between him and
Linwood, holding the bloodied sword against the lawyer's neck. "Wes, you better go take care of your girl. I got
this one."
Wes saw Willow, still holding Gavin against the wall, as he gasped for air. She was shaking, hate, anger and fear
rolling off her in waves. He walked to her, speaking softly. "Willow, it's over. You can let him go now. He's not a
threat. I'll deal with him now. I need you here, with us. I need you to check on Connor. Let him go."
The last he spoke with steely intent, and she responded, releasing Gavin to slide down the wall, holding his neck
and gasping. Willow crumbled to the floor and began to cry.
"Willow -- go check on Connor. Help him," Wesley demanded sharply as he grabbed a handful of Gavin's jacket
and jerked him to his feet.
Willow did as he said, crawling over to where Connor still lay. She placed her fingers against his neck, feeling a
bit of calmness reach her when she registered the strong beat. She shook him gently, and he began to regain
consciousness.
Gunn forced Linwood toward the room where Connor had been held. He picked up the tazer, as he walked
passed where it had fallen to the floor earlier. He was careful to keep his eyes, and sword, on the lawyer. When
Linwood was in the cell, he struck the lawyer on the side of the head with the hilt of the sword, knocking him
unconscious.
Gunn went over to help Fred. He gently took the sword from her hands, reassuring her. He pointed the sword at
the lawyers and motioned with it, and a jerk of his head, that they were to move toward the cell. He escorted
them inside and then stood by the control panel. Wesley was right behind him with Gavin. When Gavin was
inside, Wesley went over and picked Lilah up, dropping her on her backside in the room as well. Gunn pressed a
button and the door slid closed.
Willow helped Connor to his feet, and he jerked away from her as soon as he was standing. They all regrouped at
the door.
Wesley turned to Connor. "We're getting out of here. You're welcome to join us. Are you ready to help us now?"
Connor grunted and answered affirmatively.
Wesley then looked at Willow. "Are you going to be alright? We still have to get out of here."
"I'll be okay," she said tightly. "Let's just get out of Dodge."
Wesley nodded and opened the door a crack. The hall was surprisingly empty. They walked quickly to the
stairway that Willow had used. They found it abandoned and cautiously made their way down to the ground
floor.
"Do we rush it, or go out the same way we came in?" Willow looked to Wesley for advice.
"They might recognize you, or Connor and me. I think Fred and Gunn might be safe. However, if an alarm has
been raised we might all be in danger. How are you doing? Any tricks left up your sleeves?"
"I'm pretty drained." She turned to Fred and Gunn. "You guys up to clearing the way? You go first. Try to avoid
everyone. Same drill as before. Then, we'll go once you guys are out of the building."
"Get the truck, Gunn," Wesley asked, "we may need a quick getaway. And take care of her." His tone made it
clear that there might be trouble.
Gunn and Fred got out with no problem. They broke into a run just outside the door. Trouble was just behind
them in the form of security guards that moved to the door and started checking identification.
Wesley swore and looked to the other two. He mouthed silently, "One... two... three." He pulled open the door
and they ran for it.
The guards left the door and went after Wesley as he was in the lead and looked like the biggest threat. Willow
grabbed Connor's hand and pulled him with her toward the door, when he looked like he was going to join the
fracas. Wesley slugged one of the men and ran after them. Gunn was as good as his word and had the truck
waiting right outside the main doors. They jumped into the back and Gunn accelerated wildly.
They had pulled it off.
**********
Chapter 15
The drive back to the hotel was a quiet one, where each seemed lost in their thoughts. Even Fred was
uncharacteristically silent.
Willow sat in the back of the truck with her eyes closed. Her chin rested on her knees, which were drawn tightly
to her chest, with her arms clasped around them.
Wesley sat in one of the corners, his relaxed posture contradicting his intense stare, as he watched Connor, who
was perched uneasily in the opposite corner. The young man seemed to dance on the balls of his feet, as if he
would leap from the moving vehicle at any moment.
It was with little relief that they all arrived back at the hotel, despite their apparent victory. They went inside and
the women took up their now customary perches in the reception area. Gunn hung back at the door to waylay
Wesley. He placed his hand on the older man's arm and warned quietly, "Go easy on the boy, English. 'Cause he
definitely looks the type to spook easy."
Wesley gave a tight, little nod in acknowledgement and then went to sit down.
Gunn looked over at Wesley, sitting opposite Willow, and at Fred who was balanced nervously on the edge of the
couch. Willow still held her semi-fetal position in the chair and Connor alternately stalked from and hid in the
shadows surrounding them. Gunn decided to do something about this mess.
"Yo! Guys, I'll be right back. Don't everybody run off, ok?" He rolled his eyes and walked back out the door,
gripping his keys.
When he returned twenty minutes later, Connor seemed to have been the only one to have moved, though he
was still lurking. Gunn whistled a cheery tune and dumped his packages on the table. He ignored everyone's
silence and began talking, to them, to himself, aloud, as he distributed coffees and doughnuts to everyone.
Willow stared blankly. Fred offered a shy smile and Wesley looked at him speculatively. Gunn placed Connor's
coffee on the corner of the table closest to the boy and then sat back.
The boy darted forward and took the drink before settling back into the corner. Gunn paid him no mind and
continued to chat with Fred, who was smiling and talking back. Powdered sugar coated her fingers and lips and
he longed to reach out and brush away the sweetness, especially when a drop of jelly joined it next to her
mouth.
"What?" she asked, looking around wildly as a huge grin spread across his face.
"Nothing," he replied with a smile and a shake of his head.
"Char-les?"
"It's nothing. You just have this little bit of..." He reached out and ran his thumb near her lip. Her tongue darted
out to lick it in an unconscious gesture and he groaned softly.
Wesley cleared his throat and Fred got all flustered, reaching for a napkin and rambling absently to herself. Gunn
took this opportunity to draw Wesley into the conversation, and to start coaxing Willow out as well.
Gunn noticed that Connor had been intrigued by the play between him and Fred, and felt a little weird, but if it
helped his cause, he'd flirt with that girl anytime. Wesley seemed to have forgotten about Connor for the
moment.
Willow eventually started to relax, and as Gunn figured he would, Connor eventually came out to get a doughnut
of his own. He didn't retreat as far this time. When he took his second doughnut, he actually remained crouched
at the table.
Suddenly, Willow cried out, rocking forward harshly and barely setting her coffee down before she was once
again flung back into the chair. Wesley was up in an instant, reaching for her and holding her through the vision,
and afterward as she told them the details.
If they were surprised when Connor joined them at the weapons cabinet, and in their fight with the demon, no
one said anything. Everyone had their own demons, and their own reasons for fighting, even Connor.
**********