Part 17
Willow had finally gotten Angel to agree that Red Death and Hunter would be the ones to deal with Jasmine. Angel and his team were to get Connor and her followers out and if needed, to take care of anything Wolfram and Hart had planned.
Gwen's part in the plan was to interrupt the satellite feeds and jam the computers. Willow smiled at the memory of the shocked looks on everyone's face when Gwen had been video linked into their strategy meeting. None of the AI team had been pleased to learn that Gwen was paying back a favor to Graham/Hunter with this job. Willow's smile grew at the thought of that said favor. It was actually because Gwen had lost a bet to Graham on their last mission together. Willow pictured the shocked look on Angel's face if they ever learned that Gwen was an operative for the same Agency that she worked for. It was the Agency that had honed her skills in both electro-manipulation and thieving.
"You sure Gwen can be trusted?" Gunn asked Angel as they waited for the signal that Gwen was to begin. Gunn hesitated when he saw Willow's narrowed eyes but he decided in for a penny in for a pound, "I'm just sayin' that she's always takin' care of number one first and if Wolfram & Hart or even Jasmine offered her something bigger and better she'd probably take it leaving us out to dry."
"Won't happen." Willow held up a hand at Gunn's protesting. "First, she'd never go back on a favor for Hunter. She'd never live it down… literally. Second, her reputation is her meal ticket. It gets out that she turned on a job she'd never get hired again."
Gunn turned his head to look over his shoulder to where Hunter was standing silently observing Jasmine's base of operations. He had no doubts that no one welshed on a deal with Hunter and lived to tell the tale. He'd put his trust in that rather than Gwen's ability to say on the side that paid her.
Graham straightened from his observation and quietly made his way over to where Willow and the others waited.
"One of her zealots just let in a couple of news vans. Time to blend into the masses."
"Any sign of Wolfram and Hart suits?" Angel asked Graham as he approached.
"I spotted four but there are probably more."
"Alright, we'll regroup at the hotel when this is over." Angel, Gunn, Wesley, Fred and Cordelia made their way toward the back entrance of the building.
It always amazed Graham when he watched Willow use a glamour spell on herself. He smiled as Red Death transformed herself into Lilah, complete with suit and attitude.
"This ought to head off any secondary plans that Lilah may have started. Any sign of Steve or her other aides?"
"Yep, Steve was one of the first to arrive." Graham paused as he felt his beeper buzz. "Gwen just signaled, first phase accomplished. Looks like Lilah or Steve won't be using their cell phones."
"Alright, my cue to make my entrance."
~~~
Steve tensed when he noticed Lilah making her way through the crowd towards him. This hadn't been part of the plan, there must have been a last minute development. He'd gotten Hunter's signal that they were in place so he knew the hit was going down tonight.
"Team Goody-Two-Shoes here yet?"
Steve smirked at Lilah and nodded his head to the back. "Your former boy-toy just came in the back door."
Lilah glanced over Steve's shoulder and Willow inwardly gasped. Wesley! Wesley had been Lilah's boy toy? Well, the former Watcher had definitely changed since Sunnydale.
"So what brings you here, boss?" At Lilah's raised eyebrow he continued, "Not that you shouldn't be here if you didn't want to just I thought you were going to sit this one out."
Willow didn't figure Lilah would explain herself to her aide, "Change of plans. Don't question, just follow my lead."
Steve mentally rolled his eyes, he hated working for Lilah but he knew she was on the fast track so if it meant licking her boots for a while he'd do it. It was a much better position to cut her off at the knees anyway.
Lilah turned as she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. It looked like Jasmine had just finished feeding off a few of her faithful around her before the satellite debut. She was probably getting one last energy boost before facing the world with her glamour. Too bad it wouldn't last long.
She scanned the room and gave a small smile when she noticed Graham getting into position. He signaled that the operation was ready to begin.
A reporter standing close to Lilah spoke into her microphone, "I can tell you, Hal, there is a feeling of terrific anticipation in the room as I'm sure there is for our countless brothers and sisters across the globe watching this broadcast."
If you only knew, Willow thought. The crowd began to mumble in amazement and shout her name as Jasmine made her way up to the small stage. She turned to Steve and leaned in to whisper.
Graham let a rare smile show as he watched Willow in action. To the casual observer it looked like Lilah was whispering instructions to her aide as he took a seat in a nearby chair, but she was really putting a binding spell on him.
Jasmine smiled at the crowd and the cameras, "This is a moment to cherish, and I want everyone to share it with me. Welcome. And to all those people of this remarkable world who are meeting me for the first time I want to thank you for allowing me to speak with you. I come to you not as a leader or divinity, but as your partner in a venture to make this the best of all possible worlds, without borders, without hunger, war, or misery. A world built on love, respect, understanding, and, well, just enjoying one another. Doesn't that sound nice? Now I know you must all have some questions."
Willow couldn't have asked for a better opening and raised her hand.
Jasmine beamed at Lilah, it seemed Wolfram and Hart were going to help kick start the questions. "Yes, Lilah."
Wesley stiffened against the pillar when he heard Jasmine say Lilah's name. What was she doing here? She normally wouldn't dirty her hands in the execution of a plan.
"Have you heard of Zalana?"
Jasmine kept her smile in place but Willow noticed her slight stiffening. "He's an acquaintance."
"Well, he sends his regards." Willow raised both hands high and began the spell that would dissolve her and Jasmine's glamour.
The crowd gasped as a bright blue light began to pulse between Willow and Jasmine. Wesley's eyes were stationed on Lilah and he slowly relaxed his muscles when Lilah's appearance began to fade into Willow's.
A scream shattered the shocked gasp as Jasmine's face began to fade to its true look.
"Wait! No! It's a lie!"
The crowd began to turn and flee in a panic.
"No! Don't leave me."
Wesley signaled to Fred and Gunn to help the people fleeing while he made his way over to Cordelia.
Fred waved the nearest group over to the back entrance, "Over here, come on. It's okay."
Cordelia shouted over the screaming crowd at Angel, "Connor? Where's Connor?"
"I'll get Connor, you and Wes make sure no one gets trampled and everyone gets out safely."
Jasmine stalked toward Willow, "You! Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Willow just smirked. "I'm thinkin' I paved the way for my boss to take over this area."
"You've doomed this world to drown in its own blood, now."
Graham came to stand next to Willow, "Shit are you over dramatic. I like Zalana much better. No over the top gestures just get in, get the job done and get out."
"You want a grand gesture I'll give you one." Jasmine turned quickly and threw a punch at Graham.
Graham's head exploded in pain as he flew through the air and crashed into a nearby wall. He tried to shake off the pain but the room was beginning to fade and his knees buckled.
Red Death turned her gaze from her fallen lover to look at Jasmine with cold and determined eyes. "Like my partner said… get in, get the job done and get out." Willow held her hand out to the side and with a flick of her wrist called Graham's sawed off shotgun to her. A slight smile graced her features as she raised the weapon. "I gotta remember to wear old clothes when I do clean up."
She felt no regret as she pulled the trigger and Jasmine's face dissolved.
Connor stood in shock as bits of flesh splattered his shirt and Jasmine fell.
Angel ran to his son's side and pulled his unresisting body into a hug, "Connor! It's okay. It's over. I'm sorry." Angel had overheard Willow's confrontation with Jasmine but he needed to take care of his son first. He'd find out about Zalana's plans for this area… later.
Willow dropped the shotgun and moved quickly to Graham's side. She placed shaky fingers on his neck and almost sagged with relief when she felt a pulse.