"I haven't found anything! Have you?"
"Uhh, no. Wait, ok, almost, yep, there it is. The Ritual of Hypnosis. Not a very original name, but it explains what its about. It can only be performed around a full moon and guess what tomorrow night is?"
Xander grimaced.
"Can't they ever do anything that gives us like a month in advance to prepare? Everything's always, 'Uh oh, its coming tomorrow night!! I'm sick and tired of...oh, hey Buffy."
"Hey guys. Find anything?"
"Well, we think we know what spell they are going to be performing. It's called the Ritual of Hypnosis. Allows a person to control demons. I think they need Giles to perform the spell because it says that you have to be an experienced spell caster. But, I don't know why they are going to do this. But, we've only got until tomorrow night."
"We found out that some government boys are pullin this off. Since commandos don't do magic, I'm guessing they needed someone who does. Willy said it's to control the demon population. I have a feeling there's more to it than that though."

"Oh. Where's everybody else?"
"Angel and Clay are doing some recon. Checkin some local demon hideouts and talkin to Spike. They should be here soon. So, in the mean time, what are we gonna do?"
"Well, I guess we just keep researching until we find out exactly what their intentions are. Hopefully when Angel and Clay get back they'll have some information for us."

*ring ring*
"Uh, Chris, your butt is ringing."
"Funny Xander, really."
"Hello?"
"Chris, hey, I think we found where they're holding Giles."
"Mmhmm... yeah...ok..we'll be there in about 10 minutes..."
"What was that all about?"
"They found Giles."

"Where did Angel say to meet them?"

"He said they were going to wait at Willow's dorm."

Willow lead they way, and when they reached her room, they saw the door was open.

"Oh god."

Buffy and Chris both broke into a run, and found Clay lying on the floor, unconscious.

They moved him onto the bed and Chris tried to wake him up. He opened his eyes slowly and groaned in pain.

"Uhh, my head."

"Are you ok? What happened?"

He took a few deep breaths.

"Angel had just gotten off the phone with you when these commando guys bust through the door. We tried to fight them, but they shot both of us with what felt like stun guns. I saw them take Angel. They said something about a frat house. I'm sorry, that's all I can remember."

"It's ok Clay, just rest."

Buffy got up and started pacing.

"Ok, here's the deal. They won't start the ritual until tomorrow evening. That gives us a day to prepare and get equipped to take on, well, what seems like a military fortress. We'll stay at Will's tonight and do surveillance, see if anything else funky goes down on campus, watch them, and see if we can tell where they're staying."

"Hey, Buffy, I just had a great idea."

Buffy turned towards her friend and she didn't like the look on his face.

"Why do I think I'm not going to like this?"

"Um, because you probably aren't going to."

"Well, so, what's this idea of yours?"

"Well, we all know how much Riley likes you, so, if you go out on a date w/ him, maybe you can find out which frat house they're holding Angel and Giles at. That way, when we storm the place, we'll know a little more about it, instead of having to look for it."

She sighed heavily and looked at Chris.

"Well, I could go out with the guy, but I think he would think something was up if some strange girl came up and asked him for a date."

"I know. I know. I have to do it for Angel and Giles."

"Well, if you're going to do anything, you better do it quick fast and in a hurry."

"Well, I have Psych tomorrow, so, I'll ask him if he wants to go to lunch. Tonight, let's all get some rest. I'll take first watch."

Everyone made pallets and found various places to sleep. Chris and Clay curled up on a comfy downy comforter and fell asleep. Buffy watched her friends sleep and said a little prayer for Angel and Giles.

If I have to take on the entire United States Government, I will get them back. I'm just thankful that Chris and her crew are here. I don't think I could do this with just Willow, Xander and me.

She looked over and saw Xander and Mere cuddled up together.

Of course Xander finds love with a person who lives hundreds of miles away. Though, they are adorable together.

She looked out the window and saw someone walking across the lawn of Stevenson Hall. She grabbed the binoculars that Willow had dug out and looked through them to get a better view. It was Riley Finn. She watched him as he entered the main floor and got into the elevator.

What the hell is he doing here? Coming back to the scene of the crime?

She slid her shoes on and slipped out of the room, locking the door behind her. She walked down the hallway towards the elevators. She heard it ding and looked around the corner. She watched as Riley got out of the elevator and pulled something out of his pocket.

"I'm here. Over."

She heard a muffled voice over what she concluded to be a radio.

"Proceed to target. Use extreme caution. Over."

"Confirmed. Radio silence 10 min. Over and out."

"Be careful Agent Finn. This girl is extremely dangerous."

Riley switched off the radio and took a few steps. Buffy stepped out from behind the wall.

"Oh, Riley. Hi."

"Buffy. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, you should be able to answer that question."

He gave her an odd look.

"What?"

"Oh, you know I have friends who live here, Willow?"

"Oh, yeah. I remember now. It's late, you should be home."

"Well, I'm staying here for the night and I was just going to get a drink of water. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I was just um, I had some business to take care of with a student. He was having some trouble with his paper that's due tomorrow and I was just coming to help him."

"Riley, its 1 AM."

"Yea, you know my policy. I'm on call all night."

"Really. How very interesting because from what I heard on your little radio, I thought you maybe were coming to get me."

His smile faded and she saw him go for something in his jacket. She stepped closer and grabbed his hand in a crushing grip.

"I would really advise not making any sudden movements. I'm like a wild animal; the slightest movement sets me off. I'm not nice when 1. I'm being lied to or 2. I'm being hunted."

"Buffy, if I don't make radio contact in 10 minutes there's going to be agents all over this building."

"Well, then you'll just have to make radio contact."

"Don't think that's happening."

"We'll see about that after I break all your fingers and toes."

He fell silent. She pushed him towards Willow's dorm. When she got there, she banged on the door.

"Willow, its Buffy."

She heard the lock turn and Willow opened the door.

"Wow, I didn't know we were going to kidnap him."

"Well, our plans changed when they sent him to get me."

Buffy looked around the room and noticed she had woken everyone up.

"Sorry bout this guys. Riley here has to make radio contact in 10 minutes or there's going to be government agents all over this building. Can we do anything about that Will?"

"Well, I think I know a spell that could temporarily give Xander his voice."

"That would work. All we gotta do is tie army boy here up and gag him. They'll never know the difference."

"Let's go for it. If worse come to worse, we make a run for it."

"This will never work. They'll know it's not me. You're all going to be captured. Nothing you do will stop this spell from happening."

"Really? Well, see, that's where our thinking differs, because I'm going to stop this spell from happening and I'm going to get my Watcher and my boyfriend out of your little government facility."

"Well, this spell goes down and you won't have a boyfriend left."

Buffy's eyes went dark and Riley realized he had said the wrong thing. She punched him hard in the nose.

"What are you talking about?"

"The spell requires the ashes of a vampire directly linked with the Master. Seeing as how your boy Angelus is a direct grandchild of the Master, he's the best candidate."

"Wrong answer."

Buffy knocked Riley unconscious and dropped him on the floor.

"Chris, tie him up. Willow, have you got that spell yet? We don't have much time."

"Almost. Just a few more seconds."

She threw a few more ingredients into the pot and motioned for Xander to come stand next to her.

"Vocalist Concealous. Ok, drink this."

Xander warily took the small cup and drank it.

"Yuck. Hey, I'm Riley, I mean, um, gimme the radio."

Buffy felt around Riley's jacket and found the radio.

Xander turned it on.

"I have the target. Over."

"Good work agent Finn. Return to base immediately. Over."

"Confirmed. Over."

Xander switched off the radio.

"Well…hey Will, when does this wear off?"

"Reverse."

Xander cleared his throat.

"Thanks. So, what are we gonna do about soldier boy?"

"We take him with us. We don't have very much time before the commando boys notice that the radio transmission was bogus. We'll take him back to the mansion. We'll get a good night's rest, and tomorrow as dusk, we'll hit em hard and fast."

Everyone gathered their things and Xander helped Buffy carry Riley to Oz's van. Buffy pulled Chris and Xander aside.

"Listen, I'm going to stay on-campus and keep track of the commandos. I don't want them dusting Angel before we get to him. I will not loose him to some overpowering government facility. I want you guys to stay out of site, and anything happens, I want you guys out of there. Don't do anything stupid."

"Buffy, lemme stay with you."

"No, I need you to stay with the guys. If I can't be there to protect them, hey, you're the next best thing. I have to do this. I can't let them hurt Angel or Giles. I'll be by the mansion in the morning. You guys take the radio to keep track of things."

"Be careful. We can't loose you too."

"Always."

Buffy ran back towards Stevenson Hall, and Xander and Chris climbed into the van.

"Where's Buffy going?"

"Recon. Making sure nothing happens to Angel and Giles. I think Riley wigged her out when he said they were gonna dust Angel."

"Well DUH!"

"Cordy, we don't need your input."

"What?"

Xander rolled his eyes and the van fell silent.