Author's Notes: Thank you to L.J., Wendy, Christine, Stephanie, IcePrincess7, GoodCharlottesGurl, Lisa Anne1, Shahid, Spoiler Babe, and BA4eva for their feedback on Part 21! I really appreciate all of your comments!

Warnings: violence, language

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Part 22 - It's All About Power

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"I hope they find her," Willow stated a half hour later. Her voice was a combination of hope and exhaustion.

Most of the officers, as well as Angel, Giles, Xander and Cordelia had left five minutes earlier to check out one of the leads on Riley. It wasn't quite standard procedure to allow the bystanders to tag along, but none of them, including the police, had the desire to tell Angel he couldn't come. And, thankfully, Giles' long-time friendship with the Chief of Police had afforded them some leeway.

The remaining members of the group of friends and family, Willow, Oz and Joyce, had opted to stay at the house. Oz had insisted that Willow stay because of her pregnancy saying that she didn't need the stress and obviously didn't need to put herself in the line of danger while Giles had convinced Joyce to stay behind by telling her she should be there in case Buffy called or returned. No one expected her to do so, though.

The three now found themselves seated in the kitchen along with two officers waiting for news from the others if they found anything. They had left after deciding to check Riley's office at the physical therapy center to see if there were any leads there while they waited for the background information to come through.

"I-I'm sure they will," Joyce responded, the stutter in her voice betraying the confidence she was trying to project.

"Let's just hope the cops get whoever is responsible for this before Angel does," spoke Oz who then shrugged when the others turned to stare at him. "I just don't think Buffy would like him going to jail for murder."

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Buffy was huddled tightly against the wall as she strained to listen to whatever Ford and Riley were talking about on the opposite side of the room. They were talking so low, though, that she couldn't make out the words. Every once in a while, one of them would glance in her direction. Whether they were checking to make sure she was still there, or plotting what they were going to do, she didn't know.

She knew, though, that whatever the two had planned, it wasn't good. The cold, callous looks in their eyes told her that much. Her only hope was that Angel, or anybody, would find her and save her.

Angel would come. She knew he would. She didn't know how, but she knew he would. Deep down inside, Buffy knew he was searching for her. And for a moment, she had almost felt him whispering to her, telling her to hold on.

That thought alone gave her strength. She would keep herself together. She had to. But exhaustion was beginning to take over her body, unfortunately. The bound position of her arms left them aching, and her head was throbbing.

Forcing herself to stay awake, Buffy tried to think of a way to distract Ford and Riley. She had to keep them from doing anything to her until the others could find her. There had to be something she could do to keep them from doing whatever they had planned for her.

Lost in her internal thoughts, Buffy hadn't noticed that Ford was now standing right in front of her.

"Buffy, Buffy, Buffy. What should we do with you," Ford pondered with a tilt of his head. "Any ideas brother?"

"Let's just get this over with," Riley snapped in frustration. All he wanted to do was get out of that room.

"Always in such a damn rush," mused Ford almost jovially. "If I remember correctly, and I know that I am, little Buffy here was quite a bit of fun."

The meaning of his words was not lost on Buffy. A slight whimper escaped her lips at the thought of what he wanted to do to her.

Hearing the sound, Ford sneered at her. "Now don't tell me you've turned into a nun on me."

"No, please, Ford. Don't do this," she pleaded desperately.

"Ford! We don't have time for this!" Riley yelled to his half brother.

"I suppose you're right," Ford sighed with a shrug.

"Please...why are you doing this. I didn't do anything to you," Buffy cried out helplessly.

"Because, dear Buffy, you are a problem. As I already told you," Ford spat out, getting angry at her whining.

"Whatever it is, whatever you think I will do to you, I won't. I promise!" she sobbed in response. She honestly had no idea why he thought she was a problem.

"You really don't have any idea, do you?" questioned Ford through squinted eyes.

"No. I-I don't know why you are doing this to me!" Buffy spoke softly, hoping that her cluelessness would get her released. She knew it wouldn't, but it was worth a try.

"Interesting. But it makes no difference now." Ford smirked at the fear that rose several notches in Buffy's eyes. Something about it made him feel powerful.

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"There's no one here, sir," an officer stated as he walked out of the building he had been in.

"Okat. Thanks, Martin." The Chief turned to the other officers and to the group of civilians he'd reluctantly had to let come. "Let's go inside and see if we can find anything that might tell us where he took her."

The large group of people quickly entered into the physical therapy building where Riley worked. One of the officers who'd done the initial search led them to the office that was Riley's. Once inside, each of them began to sift through the room's contents hoping that they would find something...anything that would lead them to Buffy.

"This is useless," Angel snapped loudly fifteen minutes later, slamming the desk drawer closed. "There's nothing here."

Xander held up a post-it note that had been near the phone. "'Call Mother'. Gee, this guy's a regular boyscout."

"I don't give a damn who the fuck he needs to call!" Angel yelled back at him.

"Hey, sorry man." Xander held his hands up in defense of himself.

"Angel, please. We are all trying to help find Buffy," intervened Giles. He understood full well Angel's rage, but they really didn't need him screaming at people.

"Sorry," Angel mumbled halfheartedly before turning his attention back to Riley's desk.

Giles sighed in frustration, turning to his friend Thomas, the police Chief. "His is right, though. There does not appear to be anything here."

They each jumped when Angel threw a stapler across the room, denting the drywall it landed against. Xander slumped back dejectedly on one of the walls of the room while Giles wiped at his glasses absentmindedly with his handkerchief. The total feeling of helplessness was overwhelming.

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Ford was stalking closer to her, a black gun clenched in his hand. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she stared down the barrel of the weapon pointed at her. This was it. This was going to be the end. Her life would be terminated soon. She'd never get to see her family, friends, or Angel again.

Angel. Just thinking of his name made her heart clench painfully. They were finally getting back what they'd once had. And now...now it wasn't going to matter. She was going to die. Tears streamed out of her eyes at the thought of never seeing her handsome Angel again.

For a moment, just a moment, Buffy thought that maybe it would have better if he'd never come back into her life. She knew he'd be destroyed by her death. If he hadn't come back, if they hadn't reunited, then it wouldn't be as bad. But as quickly as that thought came, she pushed it away. No, she would never regret the time she'd had with Angel. She'd never regret knowing love, true love.

"Any last words, bitch?" Ford asked her, a sick smile playing on his face.

"Please, Ford. Don't do this," she whimpered while trying to free her hands unsuccessfully.

"I didn't ask for your opinion," he spoke almost casually.

Buffy continued to struggle against the ropes binding her hands while her eyes drifted to Riley who was standing a few feet away. "Riley, please! You don't have to let him do this."

"Stop your damn whining!" Ford yelled loudly at her, his steps bringing him right up to Buffy.

"Please, no!" Buffy begged again.

"I said shut the fuck up!" screamed Ford. The hand not holding the gun whipped toward her and backhanded her across the cheek.

The movement of his hand coming toward her had seemed to be almost in slow motion. The force of the blow sent her head flying backwards, cracking harshly against the cinderblock wall. Through blurry eyes she looked up at the laughing man looming over her. Suddenly, her mind flashed back to a night long forgotten when she'd found herself in an almost similar position.

Trembles took over her body as the final locked doors within her memory opened up. Image upon image flooded her mind. The last pieces of the puzzle were at last falling into place. Now she remembered. Now, she knew why this was all happening.

Ford's words repeated in her head. 'You are a problem.' They hadn't meant anything before. But now...now she knew why she was a problem. She knew why he was uncaringly pointing a gun at her head with the full intention of using it. She was a problem because she had power over him in one very important aspect. Power that could destroy him. Power that he would absolutely not allow her to have.

That was why they'd taken her. But the memories and the reasons were only a small consolation. They didn't change the fact that her crazed ex- boyfriend was standing inches away with a gun pointed at her head. The only thing they did was tell her why. But at least now she knew.

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"Now what?" Xander questioned from his spot leaning against the wall.

They'd all been standing there for minutes clueless as to what to do next. Oddly enough, Angel hadn't said a word the whole time. He'd just sat in Riley's desk chair with his whole body tense and rigid.

"I suggest you all go back to the house and wait. I will call you if there is any news," the Chief requested stupidly even though he knew they wouldn't go.

"The Hell we will," Angel growled at the man with narrowed eyes. How could he propose that they just go sit...and wait? No way would he let Buffy down like that.

The Chief was about to answer when the shrill ring of his cell phone stopped his words.

"Yes?" he spoke curtly into the phone. "Ok...hold on, let me get some paper and a pen....ok, go ahead...anything else...no, thanks....bye."

"What?" Angel leapt out of the chair sensing that they'd just received important information.

The Police Chief looked quickly around the room at all the occupants. "We just got Riley's home address."

"Let's go," Angel demanded and dashed out of the room before anyone could speak in response.

Following Angel's lead, the rest of the group quickly ran after him. They didn't know why, but there was a sudden sense of urgency to get where they were going...and fast.

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"Poor little Buffy." Ford stepped even closer to her, leaning down slightly to look her in the eyes. "You should know better than to cross me."

"Will you just do it!" Riley ordered, glaring at his brother.

"But it's so much more fun this way," chuckled Ford with a glance at Riley.

"Fun for you maybe," the blonde man mumbled in annoyance.

Ford turned slight to look at Riley. "You know, you are really starting to get on my nerves. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be in this mess!"

"Like I could forget," Riley spat back at him.

The dark haired man laughed at him and then turned back to face Buffy. "Now, Buffy, was there anything you wanted to say before I put a bullet in that stupid little blonde head of yours?"

Buffy shook her head 'no'. Fear had completely taken over her, robbing her of the ability to speak. The tears that had been slowing a little were now once again steadily cascading down her face leaving wet trails in there wake.

"It only makes it more enjoyable if you cry," Ford laughed heartlessly. When she did not respond to his baiting, his foot shot out and kicked her in the side.

The force of his second blow jerked Buffy sideways, knocking her whole body almost down to the floor. As she struggled to pull her body back up she felt the ropes around her hands loosen. Hope suddenly surged through her. The kick must have jarred the knots on the ropes. Maybe now she could get herself free.

Taking only a second to think, she carefully arranged herself so that Ford couldn't see her hands. She had to distract him a bit longer until she could unbind her hands. Maybe then...well, maybe then she could do...something.

"So, what? You're just going to kill me? You'll never get away with it," she spat at him, a renewed hatred blazing in her eyes. If she could just keep him talking a bit longer...

"Oh, I will, don't you worry about that," Ford told her with ease. His confidence in his plan, and overall cockiness, blinded him against the fact that Buffy was struggling to free herself.

Buffy's shaking fingers worked at the ropes the entire time. With one last twist, she felt her arms drop away from the poll. They were still tied loosely together, but she was no longer attached to the poll. At least now she could run if the chance arose.

"They'll find out. They won't stop until you're dead or in jail," she spoke not only to Ford, but Riley as well. She noticed that the blonde seemed to want to distance himself from what was going on.

Ford just shook his head at her statement. It was time to end this, and now. Raising the gun, he pointed it at her forehead.

No! She couldn't let this happen. She couldn't just let him kill her without a fight. If she was going to do something it was now or never. And now seemed like a pretty good option at the moment.

With fear driven adrenaline pumping through her veins, Buffy gathered her waning strength. In the blink of an eye, her body shifted and her legs kicked outwards at the monster standing before her. The heels of her feet successfully made contact with Ford's thighs, sending the unsuspecting man sprawling backwards and onto the floor, his gun falling about foot away.

Seeing her opportunity, her one chance for freedom, Buffy dove for the gun. She only hoped she reached it before either one of her captors did.

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On the entire eight and a half minute trip across town, Angel couldn't shake the heart wrenching dread coursing through him. Something horrible was about to happen. He knew it deep inside and he knew he needed to get to Buffy.

Despite what he was feeling, Angel forced himself to keep quiet. He wanted to tell the driver to go faster. He wanted to do something...anything. They had to get there. Buffy needed him.

If anything happened to her...well, he didn't want to think about it. He couldn't lose her. Not when he had just got her back. She was his soul mate, his light, his life. Without her, life wouldn't be worth living.

His head dropped into his hands as he thought about the fact that he could have kept all of this from happening. If he hadn't left...if he hadn't broken up with her....if he hadn't gone to answer the phone earlier that night... Each and every thing he could have done differently echoed in his head. There just had to be something he could have done to prevent her from being in this situation.

The relentless guilt he felt came to a screeching halt as the car come to a jerky stop. Three other cars pulled up behind them containing Xander, Cordy, and nine other officers. They all climbed out of the cars and gathered in the parking lot across the street from the apartment building where Riley lived.

"Ok...now, we're going to do this my way," Thomas, the Police Chief looked pointedly at Angel. "We have no idea what the situation inside is. It's possible they may not even be here."

"Where do you want us Chief?" a male officer asked as he checked his weapon to make sure it was loaded.

"I want you and Martin to go in through the back. James and Carros, I want you two to watch the back entrance in case he tries to leave. Stansfield and Newford, you guys watch the front. The rest of us will go in through the front and approach the suspect's apartment," Thomas ordered and watched as his officers left to take their positions.

"I'm going in," Angel stated in a tone that said he was not going to take 'no' for an answer.

Thomas stared at the determined man. He could say 'no', but he knew he'd just follow them anyway. "Fine, but I want all civilians to stay behind me and my officers."

Angel was about to object, but he realized that they were the ones with the weapons and were the ones trained for such situations. As much as he hated it, he knew he had to do what was asked of him.

"Fine," Angel grumbled in agreement.

"Let's move out! And keep it quiet! We don't want to alert him of our presence," the Chief stated, pulling out his own weapon in preparation.

The group, five officers, Giles, and Angel, made their way across the parking lot toward the entrance of the apartment building. Cordelia and Xander had decided to stay by the cars not wanting to get in the way despite the fact that they wanted to help.

Just as they reached the sidewalk in front of the stairs the silence around them was broken by the pop of gunfire from within the building. The group stuttered to a halt at the deafening sound.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" Angel roared in fear. Without thinking, he dashed up the stairs, leaving the remaining members of the group behind him.

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TBC

Yes, I'm aware that I'm an evil sadistic bitch :)