****

"…Truth is natural like a wind that blows
follow the direction no matter where it goes
so it shall be the earth and the sea
let the truth blow like a hurricane through me…"

Angel runs into the house with the blanket covering his shoulders and head. Wes walks to the door behind him and takes the smoking blanket back to the SUV for Spike.

"Where the hell have you been?" Faith accuses as Angel waits in the shade for Wes & the hidden Spike to make it inside.

"We had to be somewhere," Angel replies.

"Whoa. Wait a minute," Xander gasps, recognizing Spike as everyone files into the hallway.

"Spike?" Oz asks, his face placid. "This is still the side of the good, right?"

"Well, we certainly hope so," Riley Finn states, walking up with Groo.

"Let's get everyone downstairs in the war room for introductions and explanations," Wes suggests.

"Groo. Good to see you," Fred smiles, shaking the champion's hand.

"Riley. Where's Sam?" Xander asks.

"Dead. Nine months tomorrow. Where's your wife?" Riley questions.

"Anya? Never my wife. Dead four months," Xander replies.

"Let's go, boys," Faith urges them downstairs. The training room in the basement doubled as a "war room". They simply pushed the equipment aside and lined up chairs around the chalkboard that currently has an unfinished game of hangman on it.

Faith stops Wes and Angel at the top of the stairs after everyone else has gone down the stairs. "What's going on?"

"We're about to tell everyone," Angel replies quietly.

"I'm not everyone. I want to know what we're up against that we're having to call for reinforcements," Faith counters.

"Come downstairs, Faith. It's all about to be explained," Wes says, his voice calming her as they start down the stairs.

There is a dull roar as everyone reacquaints themselves. Cordelia and Groo are talking nervously. Xander is filling Oz and Riley in on the battle of Sunnydale that cost him his eye. Spike is talking quietly with Lorne while Fred watches him, warily. Lindsey and Gunn are discussing the hangman game.

"Faith. After the meeting, would you mind taking a ride with me?" Wes asks as Angel goes to greet Groo.

"Where?"

"To see a sorcerer about a spell," Wes answers. He ignores her worried glance and swallows a pill.

"Getting worse?"

"Yeah. And I think we should talk about who's coming to town tomorrow."

"What?" Faith asks, narrowing her eyes.

"He's coming with Giles. He can't fight but he can run the communications and coordinate the troops. Giles insisted," Wes whispers.

"That's seriously not cool," Faith replies.

"Quite a few people are going to be uncomfortable in the coming days but we just have to remember that we're on the same side." Wes puts a hand on her shoulder and she looks at him. "You aren't alone, Faith. I'll be with you. We can get through it. Xander and Angel are here with you. Don't let him get to you, okay?"

"Okay. Robin…It might be okay. I think I might be able to handle it. So are you going to start this party?" Faith smiles.

Wes glances over to Angel who is glaring at Riley, openly hostile. Cordelia is glaring at Spike and Gunn is glancing between them both, preparing to defend his friends.

"Angel? You want to explain and sit down?" Wesley calls. "We are all colleagues here. We have to put away our differences…"

"But Spike's evil!" Cordelia protests.

"He has a soul. Don't you?" Xander asks.

"Yeah. I have a bloody soul," Spike sighs.

"Oh. Okay. My bad," Cordelia replies, pouting.

"We're all adults here and we're all on the same side. We have work to do." Wes turns to Angel and nods, sitting down beside Faith in a chair on the front row.

"An apocalypse…" Angel starts.

"Another one? Are you serious?" Xander protests, sarcastically.

"Yeah. Here's what Wes translated from the prophecy…" Angel passes out several sheets of paper.

Faith studies the words detailing the battle that is to come. She glances at Wesley, who is trembling beside her. She nudges him, concerned.

"So this is the battle to end all battles," Gunn mutters. "I thought we fought that battle already."

"Yeah, this is the real one, though, from the looks of this," Fred replies.

"So what are we going to do?" Riley asks, looking at Angel.

"We're going to be ready for whatever comes. We have a few days to prepare and we're calling in everyone we can to help us fight…" Angel responds, glancing at Wes.

"I know some people I can call," Oz nods.

"Yeah, I have some connections. Weapons probably, if you think we need them," Riley volunteers.

"Good. Buffy and the others are on their way. We'll discuss the major strategies then when Giles and Wes can pool their information.

Wesley gets up suddenly and walks from the room. Faith glances at Angel, confused before following him. She follows the sound of his retching into the bathroom on the ground level. She waits for him to step out, looking dazed.

"So. You want to go see that sorcerer now, Wes?" Faith asks, taking his arm to steady him.