CHAPTER 12: Plan of Action

SUMMARY OF STORY: Max and Alec from "Dark Angel" (FOX) travel back in time via Manticore Technology to Sunnydale and meet up with Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Spike from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (UPN).

DARK ANGEL AND BUFFY STORYLINE: I am too lazy to type it, so just go to an earlier chapter where I have the storylines typed out! :-)

DISCLAIMER: yeah I have one of those, too. For my big long shpeil, check out a previous chapter. Long story short: I don't own either Dark Angel or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Got it? Good.

Please read and review! If you wanna contact me, my e-mail is alias_angel_girl@yahoo.com

Also, several people have asked me about this- if you want me to e-mail you as soon as I post a new chapter, then either put your e-mail address in the Reviews, or e-mail it to me. I will send out an e-mail to everyone right after I put up a new chapter.

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SOOOO sorry this chapter too me forever. I've been CRAZY busy with school finals, the end of school, and my summer job. ( But here it is, as long last!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter!!

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"This will be a good place to set up a makeshift Headquarters," Buffy commented after Max demonstrated her burglary skills by breaking into a small furniture store across the ally from the building White had taken over. After carefully snipping one of the wires on the alarm system, the x- 5 expertly broke the lock on the front door, allowing them use of the store.

Spike noticed the light-switch next to the door and reached to turn it on. "Wait," Max said forcefully, blocking his hand with her own.

Buffy understood what Max was worried about, and quickly scanned the room, making sure all of the blinds on the windows where tightly shut. "We don't want anyone knowing we're here, so we have to make sure the light can't be seen from outside," Buffy explained to the puzzled group before her.

"Okay, go ahead," Max gave consent to Spike after Buffy had completed her check.

Spike muttered something inaudible as he rolled his eyes at their meticulousness. On command, he flipped on the switch, filling the room with light.

Xanders' eyes lit up when he realized it was a furniture store. "This is awesome: if you guys start yelling at me to leave you alone because I'm getting in the way, I can always just take nap," he stated optimistically as he threw himself on a large dark blue armchair.

"Only one question," Giles spoke up, "Does anyone see a computer?"

"Way ahead of you Giles," Willow called behind the register counter. Everyone turned in the direction of her voice to find the girl standing there, already furiously typing away at the computer that sat on the desk.

"It's just a standard business computer, so it's kind of slow, but it should work," She called out as she continually typed on the keys.

"Now we just need a plan of action," Max said after making sure the door was securely closed behind them.

Spike's face lit up in a mischievous grin. "I'll give you a 'plan of action'. . . ." he taunted, raising his eyebrows and motioning towards the many couches that surrounded them.

Max sent him an icy look and took a step in his direction. "Unless you want my fist flying into your face, I suggest you shut the hell up and start thinking," she reprimanded powerfully. She paused slightly. ". . . We're getting Alec and Dawn back no matter what it takes."

Buffy nodded in agreement to Max's last statement. "And the only way we're going to do that successfully is going over there and rescuing them soon, before White gets reinforcements or back-up," she acknowledged.

Max glanced over to Willow and Giles. "Can you guys pull up a layout of that building on the computer? I'm sure there are architectural records of it somewhere."

"I'll see what I can do," Willow said.

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After twenty minutes of Max and Buffy keeping an eye on White's warehouse, Spike meandering around with occasional complaints, and Xander sleeping; Willow and Giles had finally located a map of the building and were printing it out.

"Good work, guys," Buffy congratulated them as she picked up the document and laid it out on a coffee table so everyone could see and get a general idea of the layout of the building. The group all huddled around the table. . . except for Spike who remained in a nearby armchair.

Max sighed. "It's a three story building, which means White had plenty of rooms to hide Dawn and Alec in."

Xander, who'd been shaken awake by Willow, managed to say "Well when we go, we can just split up and find them faster," before subsiding into another yawn.

Buffy shook her head as soon as the words left his mouth. "No way, you guys are NOT going in with us," she said firmly.

"But Buffy." Xander started to protest whinily.

"Buffy's right," Giles quickly stepped in, not looking up from the map of the building as he continued to study it. "We've messed with these kind of people before, and look where it got us. We can't afford to have White get anymore of us."

Max nodded in agreement. "It's too much of a risk. Buffy, Spike, and I will go: you three will stay here and keep a watch on the warehouse," she instructed, motioning to Xander, Giles, and Willow.

"Wait a minute," Spike spoke up angrily as he jumped to his feet to join the group. "Why do I have to go?!" He shook his head and folded his arms. "No way. I'm not about to risk my life for your little boyfriend."

Max glared at him. "Need I remind you that you are the reason we're in this problem in the first place?" she asked as calmly, though as sarcastically, as she could.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Great, now I get to hear the 'It's all your fault' speech again. . . " he shot back sardonically.

Max opened her mouth to start arguing with him, but was stopped by Willow's soft voice. "At least do it for Dawn," she said quietly.

Everyone was quiet for a moment, as Spike let this sink in.

"You got my little sister into this; it's only right you help get her out," Buffy broke the silence.

Spike looked around at the group in front of them. It was obvious that they needed his help. . . they could use all the help they could get in this situation.

He rolled his eyes another time. "Fine," he said in a defeated tone. "I'm in. Let's do this."

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After the building was thoroughly examined by Max, Buffy, and Spike, the three of them each grabbed a walkie-talkie and prepped themselves for their mission.

"So everyone knows the plan right?" Buffy confirmed. "I've got the first floor, Spike will check out the second, and Max will take the fire escape to the roof and then inspect the top floor from there."

"Try to be as subtle as possible," Max added, directing the comment towards Spike. "We don't want White knowing we're here. The element of surprise is one of our few advantages right now."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Spike verified. "Be as quiet as possible and take out as few men as possible. I get it already."

"Good," Max said. "Then let's move out."