Buffy wiped at her eyes and marched back into the living room, Wesley trailing behind her. Conner stared at the floor. It was a mistake; he was a mistake. And what did he expect, for her to run and give him a hug or something?

Gunn and Fred awkwardly sat on the couch. No one knew what to say to this girl who'd just been thrown into their problem.

"Ok you guys. We all know that Angelus isn't stupid. Which really sucks for us…Anyways, by now he probably knows that you all came to Sunnydale." Buffy stated.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"So here's what we do. We get back to L.A. ASAP and try to find him…then we kick his ass. Any questions?"

They drove all the way to Sunnydale for that.

Gunn raised his hand sarcastically. "Umm yeah, where's the part where we come up with 'the logic plan' or whatever?"

Buffy smiled. "Let me take care of that."

Of course! Why hadn't he thought of that earlier?

Angelus paced around before his eureka moment. One slayer down, but still one to go. They were going to bring in Buffy.

This is going to be fun, he thought to himself. Angel's pitiful soft spot for that cheerleader disgusted him.

"I'm gonna kick her ass…" he said out loud. Then, he left to go feed.

The car ride to L.A. had been weird, especially sitting next to Conner. Dawn hadn't been too thrilled about her leaving either.

But man it felt good to get out of that car.

It felt like forever since she'd come to the City of Angels, and it really sucked right now. The streets were filled with darkness and havoc and the black sky loomed above her like a cloud.

"This way." Wesley said, guiding her to the hotel.

Buffy looked around her. It was pretty ok, kind of grim, but that probably had to do with the permanent night thing. There was a weapon cabinet in broad display, very Angel-like, not to mention stacks of books all over the place.

"Can I see Cordelia?" She asked.

Conner quickly froze. "Uh…no, shes really tired right now."

Buffy shrugged.

"Ok Conner, I need your help." She sighed. "I'll bet a million bucks that you're a lurker like your dad."

"Umm…I guess…"

Fred nodded in extreme agreement.

"Ok, then I need you to find Angelus. But wait, find him, and tell me where he is, but make sure he doesn't see you. This is really important."

The boy left within the blink of an eye, disappearing into the city.

"As for us, we wait. Once we know where Angelus is, we can work from there."

An hour or so later, Conner reappeared, reminding Buffy of Lassie. He told the gang that he followed Angelus's scent to a warehouse. He drew a quick sketch of the floor plan. It was pretty basic, except for a loft in the upper right hand corner.

Buffy thought for a moment and let it all sink in. She took a deep breath.

"Okay," she said, "Here's the plan…"

Five minutes tops, Angelus thought. I'll give that slayer five minutes before she comes. He had smelled Conner earlier and pretended not to notice.

Stupid girl.

Oh well, at least he was ready. He could take her on this time for sure.

The gang split into groups as they headed for the back of the warehouse. Conner and Wesley headed to the front, and Fred and Gunn stayed at the back. Buffy was alone, armed with a tranquilizer gun, ready for anything. She had called Willow and everything, and she was on her way. If all went well, Angel would be back within the next few hours.

Having the gun made her feel like she was hunting an animal. Angelus was no different than a ruthless beast, but it was still strange. Since Angel had moved to L.A. she didn't think she'd be doing this again.

But she was.

The gun felt heavy and awkward, unlike her lovely little sharp stakes. She'd specifically told everyone, including the reluctant Conner, no stakes allowed.

Suddenly, a shadow appeared from nowhere.

"Hello lamb." Angelus said with a wiry smile.

"Angelus." Buffy said with anger. The word felt like poison on her lips.

She stood perfectly still, gun at side, as he walked around her, observing.

He came close and touched her neck. "I missed you." He whispered into her ear.

She backed away and he laughed. It was Angelus's laugh, villainous and cruel.

"I knew you'd come eventually. I guess the whole Faith thing didn't work out." He laughed again. "I guess she's not really my type."

She felt her blood boil inside her and kicked him in his side. He staggered, but quickly found his balance.

"Are we gonna fight or are you gonna talk?" She asked defiantly, watching his lips turn into a crooked, evil smile.

He launched at her, but she was too fast, she punched him in the gut.

"Not bad." He said.

She kept moving back, trying to get him cornered at the loft. Wesley and Conner would meet her there. He kicked her in her side hard and fast, like a baseball being launched at 100mph.

Angelus grabbed her arm attempting to twist it back but she took her gun and slammed it into his chest. He hastily punched at her and missed, but got to his feet and tried again. She fell to the ground.

He kicked her.

He kicked her with so much anger and passion that she almost became afraid. Crimson blood streaked her lip and chin.

C'mon! Get up! She told her self.

Painfully, Buffy got to her feet and attempted to punch him but he threw her into a pile of boxes like a raggedy ann doll.

"Wow Buffy, you're really performing below my expectations." He laughed and grabbed a metal rod from the ground.

Wait for it, she told herself.

He plunged at her, but at an inch away, she rolled over and jumped up. She threw herself at the vampire with everything she had. She slapped him and punched him until his forehead bled. Then, of course, the final touch, she kicked him in the crotch.

He groaned in pain as she staggered off to the loft, battered and bloody. Buffy clung to hanging ropes to support herself.

Angelus followed her up to the loft, and looked around.

Where did she go?

"Oh Buffy…come out come out wherever you are…" he called.

Suddenly from behind, Angelus received the blow of a lifetime from Conner. Wesley then seized the gun and shot him in the neck with the tranquilizer. He then ran to the slayer's aid.

"It's over," he whispered, "you did it."

Then he and Conner helped the tired girl to her feet, and dragged Angelus back to the hotel.

Buffy rested on the couch at the hotel with and icepack on her face. Her lips were swollen, and her eye had turned deep purple. She vaguely recalled seeing Willow at her side, but she was so tired, she just passed out then and there.

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I know what you're thinking…what happened to the beast right? Ok, I had an extremely hard time putting that whole situation into the plot, so I'll leave it up to you to decide what happened to him. Review review!