"What's going on?" Angel whispered to Wesley who was standing off to the side.

"Apparently, this fellow is willing to sell us some information on the whereabouts of a growing demon army. They plan to tap the energy of an unnamed, ancient power source and bring about the end of the world!" Wesley explained with a nervous swallow, "I do believe he's telling the truth."

Buffy looked past them at the green skinned, grey-horned demon. That's a Klesher demon, she thought, Wait, that's not right. Kleshandy? Kleshamby...

"What type of demon is it?" Angel continued.

"I was about to go find out when you two came up," Wesley answered impatiently.

Buffy on the other hand nearly had to clamp her hands on her mouth to keep herself from blurting out the answer. Don't give anything away, she chastised herself, at least not yet.

Angel let Wesley go and noticed Buffy had tensed, but mistook it for discomfort. "You don't have to stay, we can handle it. It's always weird when you see a demon for the first time."

Buffy looked at him in surprise and had to hold back a smile. He's so sweet. "It's ok," she said taking a shaky breath, "I'm part of the gang now, I'll deal." Just for good measure she smiled at him confidently.

Angel looked hard at her for a moment before slowly nodding. They moved towards the sitting demon and Buffy tried not to sigh too loudly, that was nerve racking. She was sure he suspected something.

"Let's get straight to the point. How much do you want?" Angel asked in a commanding tone.

"Like I told the other guy, I have information on the location of a demon army. It's only goal is to end the race of humans. I don't have all the specifics on the ritual, but I know the exact location and the tunnels leading there, both to the base and where they're doing the ritual. Five grand," he rattled off with a nasal tone.

"Why? What your motive?" Angel wondered.

"I like this world. There's whiskey and racing, I don't want it gone, but I don't want to do anything with the fighting. I just want a plane ticket out of here and a good supply of alcohol. I need to get away from the hellmouth for a while, it's sending off some funky vibes."

Buffy blanched from her corner and while Angel just looked puzzled.

The demon took notice and explained. "You're a vampire right?" Angel nodded. "When you come here, was there this vibe? Like a constant tug? That's the hellmouth. I know the ritual has something to do with that. So do you want the info or not?"

Angel looked thoughtful and motioned everyone to the die. Buffy held up a finger and after everyone went downstairs she turned to the demon. "The ritual, does it have to be at the hellmouth?"

The demon hesitated and Buffy said, "Come on, there are hundreds of end of the world rituals concerning the hellmouth. Think of it as an act of faith to show us that you're not bluffing."

Finally the demon nodded, "Ok, it has to be at the hellmouth, but only the last part, everything else can be done here."

Buffy answered distractedly, "Thank you, we'll keep that in mind."

She moved towards the back of the room where the rest of the gang were talking. "I say we beat it out of him," Gunn offered, "I'm not spending five grand on a weasel like that."

Angel acknowledged her presence with a small twitch in the corner of his mouth.

"Well if it's a matter of trusting him, I think it's ok, but I don't' know about the money, five thousand dollars is a lot of money," Buffy put in.

Angel took it into consideration, mentally making a note of the fact Buffy had been alone with the demon for quite some time. "I think we should pay him-"

"You can pay an ugly demon thing, but you're not giving me a raise??!" Cordelia screeched.

"Princess, I think saving the world is a good investment," Doyle said carefully.

Buffy motioned Fred to go and watch the demon and she left with a grateful smile.

"Oh, you're just saying that because if the world was gone you wouldn't be able to drink anymore," Cordelia shot back, considerably calmer.

Doyle just gave her a lopsided grin and winked.

"Where exactly are we getting this money Angel?" Gunn asked a little angrily.

"I have enough that you guys don't have to chip in or anything. So it's settled, we'll pay him. Come on," Angel motioned and started walking up the steps to the patiently waiting demon.

"Here's the deal," Angel propositioned, "Half now, I get the information, and half after we've checked it out."

"If I keep the location a secret until I get the second half. I have a feeling you'll be heading there pretty quick and I wanna be outta here as soon as I can."

"Deal."

They shook and the demon spilled his guts as Angel wrote the check. "Alright, the scoop is, the army's gunna use a large power source to open the hellmouth, one of which is a werewolf which we had to catch alive. Anyway, they take the power of the wolf and use it in the mix, but it has to be the last of the three days and we caught the wolf where he was still human. So you still got time, but I know that the place of the hellmouth is two hours from here and the army is to make sure that it gets there."

Wesley was taking notes and writing furiously even after the demon finished. "Here's your check, we'll meet you back here in a few hours," Angel told him handing the check over.

The demon took it, but hesitated before leaving. "That's the official reason, but I think it's so that our general can train us with the demons from the hellmouth. Everyone knows that the General has dreams of creating an army rivaling the Scourge."

Several people in the room shivered involuntarily at the name. Buffy didn't know who the Scrooge were, or why Angel would be cringing at the name, but she did know a long list of people who had tried to open the hellmouth. Needless to say they all met their failure at the hands of none other than herself.

"Just how big is this army?" Gunn asked, getting a little worried in spite of himself.

"It's not that big as far as armies go, just a couple hundred of demons and vampires. Mostly fledglings made by General Balkans.

Buffy had a hard time keeping her face straight. Balkans?! He used to be one of her teachers and had fled when she ran his masters Spike and Drusilla out of town. Angel snuck a glance at her and as hard as she tried she couldn't keep a smile from appearing. Catching his glance she shrugged said, "Funny name."

The demon shook his head at the young girl's naiveté. "Funny name of not, he's one of our top leaders. He's the one who came up with the idea. The other general is General Gavan, he's 150 years old and he's a Dalma demon so he has the connections to pull it off."

"If you think the goal of the army is to stop the hellmouth from opening after they opened it, then why worry?" Buffy asked earning admiring looks from the gang.

"Honestly I don't think we could pull it off. Our generals are the best, but the army will fall apart after the demons don't stop coming. I'm not stupid, I know that our army isn't invincible no matter what our general says."

"Alright, don't skip out on us, we need the location and you need the other half. You won't like what will happen if we find you betrayed us," Angel warned with a menacing growl.

The demon looked scared, but had enough sense to smile reassuringly before running out of there. "You have TWO hours!" Wes bellowed as loud as he could.

The demon just gave a wave to indicate he heard and ran out of sight.

"You shouldn't have given him the money, just beat it out of him! Where did you get all the money anyway?" Cordelia demanded, hands on her hips.

"You really should pay more attention to those invoices you love so much Delia," Doyle answered before Angel could say anything.

She just grumbled and allowed Doyle to take one of her arms and lead her to where Wes was already starting research. The others followed suit, but Angel pulled Buffy aside and into his office. Closing the door and making sure no one was listening, he asked her quietly, "What did you ask the demon?"

Buffy was surprised and a little scared. "I-I asked him what kind of demon he was. After a little bit of coaxing I got him to admit he was a Kleshandy demon. Kleshand, or was it Kleshagner? I don't know, but it was something like that," Buffy covered. Now I don't have to worry about letting it slip, she thought relieved.

Angel felt guilty for ever doubting here. There was still something off, but she did seem like she was trying ot help. "Sorry, you were just acting kind of weird, O giess being around a demon will do that to you. I'm sure Wes'll be overjoyed with this tid bid," he revealed with a small smile.

Laughing, Buffy agreed. Inside she felt sick, she hated lying to Angel, she wanted so badly to tel him what she was, who she was, but couldn't.

He opened the door in a silent apology, escorting her to the rowdy research room. Angel leaned against the door frame in amusement while Buffy buried her head in his broad back to keep from laughing.

Wesley was yelling at Doyle who was sneaking sips of something from a flask while Cordelia was alternately watching and fixing her nails. Fred had her nose buried in a book, a slight smile on, while Gun was pretending to read while staring over the edge of his book at Fred.

Buffy was fighting a losing battle, she was laughing into the back of Angel's shirt and no matter what she did, she couldn't stop them. Angel's smile faded and instead he gritted his teeth. Buffy was breathing heavily into the back of his shirt and it was driving him crazy.

He pulled her in front of him and she looked at him puzzled, moving back against him. Her eyes widened and she blushed furiously. Angel looked down at her apologetically. "Sorry, it's not like I have a whole lot of control over that part of me."

Buffy looked straight ahead, horribly embarrassed before smiling slightly and pushed back against him. She grinned when she heard him breathe in sharply. His hands on her hips sent shivers down her spine even as he pushed her away. "Be good," he murmured in her ear.

She gave him a pout that forced him to use all his willpower to refrain from kissing her and pulling her back into his office.

Doyle's eyes strayed from Wesley's angry ones, blocking out the angry droning. He saw Buffy pressed up against Angel wit a connection so strong he could almost see it.

Cordelia snuck a glance at Doyle who was staring off into space, whiskey flask half hanging out of his pocket, oblivious to the screaming of Wesley. Following his gaze she saw Angel whispering into Buffy's ear and watched in amazement as she gave him a pout that slowly drew him in before he realized what he was doing and pulled back. Mr. Broody has a soft spot, she thought with a smile.

Wesley eventually noticed that Doyle wasn't paying any attention. Trying to figure out what caught his attention, he looked towards the doorframe to see Angel looking down at Buffy with complete adoration in his eyes.

Gunn and Fred were looking at each other before they realized that Wesley had stopped yelling. Looking around at the rest of the room, all of their heads seemed to be pointing in one direction. With one synchronized movement, they too focused on the door. They did a double take when they saw the object of everyone's attention. Angel was smirking, with Buffy standing in front of him, a smirk rivaling Angel's on her face. Kitten's got fangs, Gunn thought. They are so cute together, Fred gushed.

"Research time is really efficient," Buffy said looking up at Angel.

"What can I say," he replied with a shrug, "Welcome to the team."

The room was absolutely speechless. What happened in those two minutes they were talking?

"One day in and already I have more information than anyone. I think I'll fit right in," Buffy joked.

"Not if you're a suck-up," Angel retorted.

Buffy elbowed him playfully and turned to Wesley, "I know what demon that was."

Wesley's face lit up like a kid on Christmas while everyone else looked on with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

"You got beat out Wes," Gunn teased.

"Yes, ah, ahem, well, what is the name of this demon?" Wes asked a little flustered.

"Kleshand. Kleshando? Klshamby, Kleshander! It's Kleshander!" Buffy exclaimed proudly.

The gang had to hid their smiles from both Wesley and Buffy. The instant Buffy had said the first demon name, Wes had started flipping through his books with surprising speed.

"Ah HAH!" Wesley called, "Here it is."

Everyone crowded around a triumphant Wesley. Cordelia leaned in eagerly before jerking back, narrowly missing Gunn's nose. "EEWW!!"

Buffy had stood off to the side, she already knew about the demon, but hearing Cordelia's scream, she was curious to see what it said. After a few embarrassing moments of trying to look over everyone's shoulder where she noted that everyone else had expressions of mild disgust and it only made her more determined. Angel finally noticed and with a neutral expression asked, "Are you sure you want to see this?"

Buffy nodded, ignoring the spot where Fred had cautiously held herself off to the side. Moving into the large gap Angel had left open, she peered over the Wesley who was thankfully sitting down, and at the book. Not flinching she looked intently at the gory picture with bloody human parts strewn across the page.

"Either this demon didn't do this, or they left a part out," Buffy murmured absently.

Angel had moved in behind her when he found that Buffy wasn't looking at the picture with horror, but scrutiny. Easily picking up her musing he really looked at the bodies. His eyes widened and he nodded. Cordelia's screech shot his super sensitive hearing. "What? A HEAD?!"

Buffy looked up at Angel who looked at her with understanding. "No, a weapon."

A chorus of "What?" and "Huh?" sounded throughout the room.

"These ends, the non-skin parts are too clean, The muscle isn't torn, no veins trailing behind, just a clean cut. I'm thinking out menacing demon boy is just a wuss with a knife," Buffy speculated.

The wicked smile Gunn had didn't escape Angel's attention. "No pummeling, he's harmless. More or less," Angel ordered.

Gunn heaved a dramatic sigh, but brightened at the looks that Fred was giving him.

Wesley called out from behind the enormous stack of books he had hidden under after the recovery of the picture. "Angel! I do believe I have some more information on this 'hellmouth' The demon was not lying," he continued, walking over with a book in hand, "It looks like this when it's open," he pointed to a diagram, "But during any other time, it looks as though it's a regular patch of earth where mystical occurrences are particularly abundant. A lot of demons are drawn to it's power and while that army doesn't seem incredibly forbidding, this hellmouth certainly does."

"Good work Wesley," Angel praised looking over the book, "This really helps a lot. Can you start checking for ways to open it, anything that might be used?"

Wesley nodded eagerly, glasses slipping down his nose. "I was just about to do that."

Cordelia snickered, "Doesn't take much to keep an ex-watcher happy."

"What?!" Buffy blurted, "Wh-what's a watcher? It sounds, um, a little, uh, stalkerish if you ask me."

"Well, there supposed to be this Slayer girl, or whatever....Anyway, she's the Chosen One or something and fights evil like 24-7. Probably has horrible nails," Cordelia had a look of disgust on and went back to pretending to research.

Buffy looked down self consciously at her nails and pretended to not have heard the lecture a million times before. "So why with the ex? Why not just watcher?"

"Well, the Watcher's Council is in Britain so you have to be like uber-stuffy to stay in. Wes got kicked out a while ago, few years. He says he quit, but really it's cuz he couldn't find his slayer for like two months so they sacked him and put someone else on it," Cordelia told her eagerly.

"That's horrible," Buffy sympathized, "Does he still keep in touch?"

"Yeah, I think they send him the annual newsletter," Gunn joked.

Everyone laughed and Buffy set aside her thoughtful face to join in, especially when she noticed Angel looking at her. Seeing the look he gave her, like he was trying to figure something out, she made a split second decision. "You know, I think I'm going to shopping, the demon kinda creepe me out, and I know shopping will help."

Cordelia looked excited, but Angel could see Buffy needed some time alone. "Cordelia, we need you here, interrogating and everything, you can shop some other time."

Buffy shot him a grateful look, now laced with a feeling of intense guilt. "Thanks, I know I'd probably just get in the way, I'll be back in a couple hours!"

With that she raced out the door before Cordelia could protest. As much as she would have loved to see how Angel took charge, she had some research of her own to do. Searching for the closest magic shop in the yellow pages, she entered a dark misty room.

"Welcome to the Magic Stop! Can I interest you in some love charms to help find your summer love? Perhaps some good luck charms from the beginning of school?"

Buffy jumped and stared at the balding man to her right. It took her another few seconds before she realized he had stopped talking and was looking at her expectantly. "Oh, no, I'm looking for some books on the Watcher's Council. Do you have those?" Buffy asked.

The shopkeeper blinked and his air instantly changed. "So you're in the trade, No matter, come with me! You'll be pleased with both our selection on watchers and slayers!" the man bowed and led her towards the curtained area of the shop.

He drew back the curtain to reveal a cozy room lined with bookshelves and had one window. "I'll leave you to your business, call if you need anything."

Buffy thanked him and began looking through the shelves. "Where's Giles when you need him?" she muttered scanning the seemingly endless rows. One book in particular caught her eye. "Slayer Handbook," Buffy murmured surprised.

Pulling it out, she skimmed through the pages, seeing some half filled with fine print near the bottom. Wonder why Giles didn't mention anything about a handbook. Only halfway through the book, she shook herself awake. That's probably why. Not even half way though skimming the book and I'm falling asleep.

Tucking the book under her arm, she continues her search. Pulling out a handful of books, she sat them on the table in the center of the room. Holding back a yawn, she flipped tiredly. Finally after endless skimming, she rubbed the dust out of her eyes and read.

A few minutes later she shut the book with a sigh of relief. So, Wesley wouldn't know anything about her until she told him. That's a load off my mind. Stacking the books onto a neat pile she picked up the Slayer Handbook and walked out.

Smiling at the shop keeper she paid for the book and raced back to the apartment. Glancing at her watch she realized she could catch the demon if she lucky. Tossing the book on her bed, she locked the door and ran all out slayer style. Kidding to a stop in front of the door, she raced in-

-only to run into Angel's broad chest.

"Oof! Sorry! Am I late? Did I miss it?" Buffy panted frantically.

"Whoa! Calm down! No, you didn't miss it, and he's just telling us a few more things. Nothing to rush about. It's an in and out deal," Angel soothed, helping her off the floor.

"Oh," She mumbled, "I knew that."

Angel just smiled and gave her a quick kiss just as the door opened. He sighed angrily and gave her an apologetic look before walking to the demon that poked his head into the room.

He whispered into Angel's ear who nodded and handed him a slip of paper. Reading it, Angel handed the demon a slip of paper in return where the demon also checked to make sure the sum was what they had agreed. With a wave, he took off, careful not to open the door too wide, lest any sunlight burn Angel.

"We got it," Angel announced, "125 Jackson St. in the basement, there's an underground cavern. We'll go tonight, above ground, maybe eavesdrop a little, find out their plans. Sound good?"

Everyone agreed and Angel gave Buffy a look as everyone set off, preparing for the raid. Pulling her aside he said, "Buffy, I don't want you going down there, it's bad enough you know about it. I couldn't stand seeing you get hurt."

Cordelia watched as Buffy began to whisper furiously and saw Angel's pained look. "He really loves her, doesn't he?" she commented to no one.

She jumped as Doyle answered, "Yeah, Angel's been happier than I've ever seen him thanks to your sis. I think he deserves a little fun and happiness, don't you?"

"Yeah," she responded, zoning out. She saw Doyle looking at her expectantly, "What?"

"Nothing, Princess. Nothing at all."

Cordelia glared and glanced back to the corner where she saw Angel press a soft kiss to Buffy's forehead. Looking almost wistfully at Doyle's retreating back, she moved to get ready.

"You know, if you get yourself killed I'll never talk to you again, right?"

Angel chuckled. "Then I'll make sure that won't happen. I can't lose you, Buffy," Angel turned serious, "For the first time in 240 years, I'm finally living."

Buffy blinked back tears and whispered, "I don't know about the whole living thing, but I feel more sage with you out at night than in the day without you."

Angel held back tears of his own and kissed her as sweetly as he could.

"I should...get ready," he breathed a moment later, "Need to...kill demons."

"Yeah, give 'em the old slash whack," Buffy agreed, gasping, "Plus, wait a little elonger and you won't be able to stop."

Angel smiled ruefully, "That too."

Holding onto each other, neither moved until Buffy heaved an exasperated sigh. "Look at us, we sound as if we'll never see each other again. I'll see you in a few hours."

Giving her one last passionate kiss, Angel moved away, slipped into business mode and squared his shoulders.

He's so perfect, Buffy thought, watching him. There is no way in hell I'm letting him fight those things alone. Besides, it's my duty, and who am I to skimp on that?

Fingering a particularly dangerous looking sword, Buffy slipped it into its sheath and tried to see if one with a spine sheet could be found.

Just as she was preparing for battle, so was Angel, concealing as many weapons into a leather duster especially designed for it. Finishing off about ten pounds heavier than he started out with, he skillfully hid the bulkiness and moved gracefully to where the rest of his crew was gearing up.

Calling everyone together, Angel gestured to Buffy who left with a pout that almost Angel changed his mind. She walked out smoothly, effectively hiding her own choice of weapons. Enough people had raided his stores that he wouldn't notice a few more were missing until it was too late.

Angel watched her go with a look of regret before mentally putting himself back to business. However, the quick look he allowed himself to show wasn't missed by everyone in the room. "We'll enter here..."

Buffy waited until everyone was paying close attention to Angel before quietly moving just under the window she had purposely left open. Listening to the sarcastic comments, she smiled, remembering her own gang back in Sunnydale. Buffy felt a pang of guilt, she had yet to tell Giles of this impending apocalypse and Angel of her calling. They both deserved to know.

She shook off those uncomfortable thoughts and paid close attention to what Angel was saying, knowing it was a matter of life and death.

Angel gave instructions automatically, but he had this feeling. It was the feeling he got whenever Buffy was around. Stop it, he berated himself, concentrate or you'll get yourself killed.

"Right, let's do it."

Buffy moved back so she could follow without being seen or heard.

"Oh! I forgot something!"

The entire party let out grunts of frustration. "so when I asked if everyone had everything and you complained about me not trusting you guys enough, you were where?" Angel asked exasperated and impatient to fight.

"It was a reflex! And you're lucky I remembered at all!" Cordelia whined.

"Yeah, Angel, you should be thanking your lucky stars Delia remembered anything at all," Doyle scolded sarcastically while still managing to look adoringly at Cordelia.

She huffed, resisted the urge to stick out her tongue, and rushed off to her apartment.

"We'll meet you outside the compound!" Angel called.

"Ten bucks she comes back with fresh blush," Gunn murmured into Fred's ear. She held back laughter and Gunn looked pleased while casually ignoring Doyle's glare. Angel just smiled, some things never change.

Buffy peered over the top of the Hyperion and noticed a missing member. Where was Cordelia? Figuring she was just lagging behind, she watched as the group continued on. Stealthily, she followed their progress from LA rooftops, silent as a shadow.

Despite all this, Angel couldn't help but feel someone was watching. Every now and then he'd look around, expecting a shadow to duck behind a corner. Buffy noticed and smiled, I'll have to tell him to look up once in a while.

Stopping at the end of the street, they looked at the peeling white paint on an old warehouse. "That's not conspicuous," Buffy said under her breath bucking into a corner where she could see both the building and Angel comfortably.

"We need to wait for Cordelia, then we'll storm in. Remember though, sneak attack, see what we can find out before we start the fighting," Angel reminded, leading them into an alley of their own. Settling down, they kept a watchful eye for Cordelia and any guards that might be posted. For Angel, there was one other person to watch out for, though he said nothing of his suspicions to the others.

Cordelia was rushing home, trying to block out the involuntarily sting caused by Doyle's words. Hardening her heart, she opened the door and called, "It's only me!"

When she grabbed the lucky charm that was on her dresser drawer and still didn't hear anything from Buffy, she peered into her room and found it empty. I guess she went out instead of waiting around sulking, Cordelia thought approvingly. About to leave, she spied an old book on the bed. It looked like a research book that Wesley might have.

The Slayer Handbook was on the cover in big bold letters. "Why would...?" Then Cordelia noticed the open chest that held a collection of well used, but well kept weapons. For all the air-headed remarks and attitude, she wasn't nearly as stupid as she acted. Putting two and two together, she gasped and dropped the book back on the bed, herself falling right alongside it.

Buffy was the Slayer! How could they have not seen it? Especially Angel. At that thought, she wondered if Buffy really loved Angel despite his vampire self. She felt a wave of protection for Angel who was much more of a sibling to her than Buffy was. For a moment, Cordelia was torn, to tell Angel, who deserved to know, or tell Buffy, who was her sister, step or not. So the question was: Should she tell?

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Magic number five! Wow, that is one long chapter, and rightly so, for all the time it took me to get this out. Let me just say a huge thanks to all the people who reviewed even though it had been around a year since the last time I updated and to those who have given up hope this should liven you up. If this doesn't, I have to say I have the next few chapters all written out, I just haven't had the time to type and proof them. Thanks for the long wait and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint! REVIEW!!