Fred held up the microchip, squinting at it. "So... What is it?"

"Which one?" Knox looked up from the screen in front of him.

"This microchip. It's about the size of my... Piece of lint."

"Oh it's a behavior modification chip. Really interesting technology, Wolfram and Heart got it from the files of some Secret Government Ops."

"Oh..." Fred put it down. "Oh."

"It's for demons. They had some interesting files about the use of it on Vampires... Too bad about the flaws..."

"Flaws?"

"The chip went haywire after a while, killing the subject it was implanted in. Aside of that, over half the subjects either killed themselves, or went insane."

"Oh...." Fred back up slightly. "Sounds... Fatal."

"Yeah. Great potential. Too bad that the only survivor of the project ended up dead last month. And the only successtory of the lot as well... Real shame."

"So they were vampires being controlled?" Fred furrowed her brow. "Are there any reports?"

"Sure, file number 45PO65B"

Fred quickly typed in the file number. As she did, her fingers slipped. She gave a small cry.

"Is something wrong?" Knox got up, turning his full attention to her, a sweet smile on his face.

"Stop!" Fred yelped. She looked up, rubbing her head. "That was.... Weird."

"What was?"

"I don't know."

He got closer, his hand touching hers unintentionally.

"Just a strange... Thought."

"Oh? I have those sometimes, like when I wanted to make a portal to other dimensions and... go on..."

"Portals to other dimensions?" Fred paled.

"Uh yeah, you know, travelling from one dimension to the other, exploring new universes...uh, just an idea I had, it's what got me my first internship at Wolfram and Heart."

He picked up one of his doohickeys, a nice little thing that looked like a key chain but was actually a universal remote.

"It wasn't much more than a fantasy though. You might want to talk to Mistress Meerna down in transportation if you want to know more."

"Uh good." Fred turned away from him. Still somewhat shaky of just the thought of getting trapped through a portal again. Any day you weren't pulled through a portal and made a slave, was a good one. And...

What was that thought? Why was she thinking about a kid beating her up?

Cordelia, pregnant, running away with a boy.

She remembered that. But it didn't happen that way. She wasn't sure really. Every time she tried to think of Cordy, of the past few years... there was this feeling... She couldn't quite describe it, as if things didn't mesh.

There were big holes... Something missing.... And most of it, centering around Cordy... Cordy who was still in a coma, still...

Fred shook her head. She was here, in a place full of neat electronic gadgets, with a cute, sweet guy... And she was worrying.

Talking about being mopey.

Fred sighed deeply. "So what's this?"

******

Gunn dragged the thin, ranting man into the lobby. "Calm down, man. I'm going to get you help."

"Not alone, this place is evil."

He was circling, staring everywhere.

"Shadows, death everywhere..."

A strange statement considering the whole lobby was filled with light.

"Okay... Maybe you should talk to Angel... No, what would he do?"

Gunn shook his head, pulling his strange guest with him to the elevator.

The man closed his eyes as the light reflected from the mirrors. Gunn couldn't help notice how William was staring at the mirrors, seeing something, or not seeing something... He wasn't sure which it were.

"Now here here Michael. It'll all be alright. I'm sure that the kids'll be alright, but those masks really aren't good for children that age. I'll talk to you tomorrow, ta ta..."

William startled back at seeing the green demon on the phone.

"Michael?" Gunn couldn't help but smile.

"Michael Jackson, he may be a Sareyte but he's mostly harmless. Had a real pleasure in meeting him though."

Gunn stared up at the door to Angel's office.
"Is the big guy in."

"Sorry but no, so who's the cutie with the screaming aura?"

"Screaming?"

"Yes, considering how much love, pain and tragedy I feel coming from him and he's not even singing. It's like watching Passions without the images."

"Passions?"
William looked up as he turned to Lorne.
"Timmy died."

"Don't I know it, damn shame that."

"Great crazy guy watches Passions." Gunn mumbled.

"So where is he? Angel?"

Lorne lifted his hands in surrender.
"Not a clue."
Then to William, all too slowly gazing at him.
"Have you ever tried wearing leather?"