Jay could feel Buffy stiffen and he carefully moved so that he was beside her, keeping a wary eye on the demon. He could feel the evil of the demon to his very bones,

Shaddal threw up a hand and a burst of power came towards Buffy, to be deflected by her shield. The look on his face was priceless.

"What's the matter? Don't you recognize the shield of the Archangel Gabriel?" She asked maliciously, watching his face as he finally recognized it. She swung her sword in a quick circle, enjoying the rage that crossed the demon's face. She glanced over at Jay and he slowly moved back to give her room.

"He should have stayed out of it. When I kill you I'll claim the sword and shield for my own." And he pulled his own sword and lunged for her and they began to battle in earnest.

Buffy could feel the pure evil trying to reach it's skeletal fingers into her soul. Thoughts of despair, giving up, dying all flashed through her, causing her to stumble badly, then she looked up into Jay's eyes. His love flooded her and beat back Shaddal's influence, making her suddenly faster and stronger.

As they fought Buffy suddenly had a wild idea. She let him get first blood, letting him getting over confident, then beat him back, slicing him up badly.

He smiled a smile that made her feel cold, "You can't kill me Slayer. I'm an immortal demon."

Buffy beat him back, "You were, until you took over a vampire's body. And what do I kill? Vampires." She said this last then turned and sprinted towards to where they knew the rings would arrive, "Teal'c! We need the rings called down when I say so. Jack, make sure that Jacob's ready to fire!" She called on her radio, aware of the demon behind her.

Jack grinned, now he understood. He thumbed his radio, "Jacob, be ready to fire on my command." And he raced toward the rings as well. He could see Jay approaching from the other direction. Daniel and Teal'c flanked him, Sam covered their six and Angel and Faith sprinting ahead to clear any extra demons that were foolish enough to get in the way.

Jay's heart was in his throat as Buffy turned and ducked as Shaddal flew over her. The demon quickly spun around and used his sword to thrust, cutting her side.

"Damn." She cursed, stumbling back on purpose. 'Closer…closer.' She thought, aware of Jay and SG-1, Willow and Xander, Angel and Faith making sure the perimeter was clear of any interference. As soon as he was squarely onto the spot, she grinned, "Later."

Jack looked at Teal'c who barked into the communicator of Nirrti's First Prime, "I have the Taur'e!"

The rings swooshed down around a surprised Shaddal and suddenly he was face to face with a puzzled woman and a roomful of armed guards.

"Who are you?" Nirrti demanded.

Shaddal drew himself up, "I am Shaddal, the demon that rules the mouth of hell. Bow before me!"

Nirrti's eyes flashed and she was about to arrogantly reply when…

Jack smiled, "Fire."

Up in the night sky there was an enormous fireball, then Jacob's voice, "Target destroyed."

With a whoop Jack grabbed Sam, "Oh yeah!! Another snake bites the dust!"

Jay grabbed Buffy as she sagged for a moment. She was still bleeding sluggishly from the wound in her side, and she was a bit tired. "Babe?" He asked, and she tilted her head back and smiled at him, "I love you Jay Coburn."

"You did great." He praised as he sat her on the ground to check her side. She flinched as he pressed the flesh around the wound carefully, "I don't think it hit anything important." He said and she nodded, "It'll be better soon." Sam handed him a field dressing and he quickly bandaged it and helped Buffy back up.

Jack was on the phone with General Hammond, "George? It's over. Yeah, both the demon and Nirrti in one fell swoop." Hearing the whine of a zat he looked up to see Teal'c making the Jaffa bodies disappear, Willow watching in fascination. "What's that? Yes Sir. Yes Sir. See you tomorrow." And he closed his phone with a grin, wrapping an arm around Sam for a quick hug. He smiled over at Buffy and Jay.

"You did great Blondie, let's get out of here and get some sleep, whadya say?"

She nodded wearily, "Sounds great. Will, Xan?"

Willow came over and gave Buffy a hug, "I'm ready to go home too." Xander moved around to hug the women. "We did it again, do we get a new t-shirt?"

Jay and SG-1 laughed, this was familiar ground for them. Faith was smiling slightly and Angel was watching the two groups with envy.

The three pulled back and Buffy looked around, "So, are you headed home Angel?"

He jumped, "Um, yes. I'll head back right away. Gunn called yesterday, there's something new in LA."

Buffy moved towards him and gave him a hug, "Thanks for the help. Be safe." He closed his eyes at the missed sensation of holding her in his arms, then stepped away. "Good bye." His eyes met Jay's who nodded and he turned and disappeared into the tress.

Jay's eyes met Jack's briefly, then he looked down at the woman he loved, "Ok, let's get you home."

Gabriel smiled. "They did well."

The Powers that Be, Oma and the Eagle spirit agreed. They were talking amongst themselves quietly when one of the Powers that Be was heard to say, "We can't let her leave the hellmouth. Something has to be done about her marriage. If he were to leave…"

The Ancient Spirit growled, "No! The son of my people loves her. You can't punish her for doing as she was meant to do? What reward is that?"

Oma was just as dismayed and was about to interject into the argument when the Angel Gabriel stood, attracting all of their attention.

"She has been a good and faithful servant and she has a new destiny to fulfill, the Ancient Spirit's son is part of that. There will be NO interference, am I understood?" He thundered and the Powers that Be bowed. One tried to speak but Gabriel pinned him with a look, "If I find that you have interfered then you all will be stripped of your positions."

The Powers all bowed their heads.

Satisfied, Gabriel nodded to Oma and the Ancient Spirit and disappeared. Oma spun around and glared at the Powers that be, "I too will be watching." And she left as well.

The Ancient Spirit gathered himself up, "As will I." He turned to his eagle form and with a mighty sweep of his wings disappeared as well.