Gone

Disclaimer: I'm only using them for my own evil purposes. I don't own anything worth suing for.

Summary: I'm not telling.

Reviews: Yes, please. I love reviews and adore reviewers. I even revere readers. Readers Rock but Reviewers RULE!

A/N: The next chapter wrote itself before I could finish this one but I'm not posting it til tomorrow or the next day (evil snicker) just cause I love to torment. So go ahead and review to tell me how much you hate me, how evil I am. If enough words of hatred are heaped on my wicked head, I'll post it faster. (My evil unsouled alter ego just wrote that last part and won't let me erase it. As soon as I break free from her unholy influence, the next chapter will go up. No, back off! Let me go!)

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Cordelia brought glasses of water to Wesley and Susan. Wes gulped it gratefully. Susan sipped at hers, tears slipping tiredly down her face.

Angel knelt in front of them. "What happened?"

Wesley closed his eyes. "It was my fault. I wasn't careful enough. I didn't realize…"

Angel gripped Wesley's shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. Go on."

The younger Englishman inhaled deeply. "A van from Wolfram and Hart followed us to the grocery store. When we got out of the car, Dawn and Jake lagged behind a little. They were talking. The van raced up and they were pulled in before we could do anything."

Buffy strode over to the weapons cabinet. "Where is this place?" She asked, beginning to select weapons.

Angel went to stop her. "Those won't help. We have an ace in the hole. Lindsey!" The name was shouted.

The lawyer appeared at the top of the stairs. He took in the scene below. "What happened?"

"Your firm kidnapped Buffy's sister and Susan's cousin. You're going to help us get them back." Angel stated.

"Okay." Lindsey's ready acquiescence surprised those who knew him but Angel had expected it. It was the reason he'd emphasized the relationships of the two captives. Lindsey hurried down the stairs. "What do you need me to do?"

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Dawn and Jake were blindfolded as soon as they were pulled into the van. They had no way of knowing where they were. Their hands were tied behind their backs and as soon as the van stopped, they were pulled out and led into a building.

"You can't do this. You can't keep us here. My sister is so gonna kick your ass. You do not know who you're dealing with." Dawn was more than scared she was pissed. Why did she always have to be the one getting kidnapped? Just once, she wanted to be on the rescuing side of things. She could feel Jake trembling beside her as they were led into an elevator. She wanted to let go and shake too, but knew the best way to survive was to never show your fear. She'd learned that from Spike. She wished with her whole being that she was with Spike. A small smile touched her mouth when she thought of the damage her vampire would do to the wankers stupid enough to kidnap 'his Niblet'.

The car stopped and they were led down a hallway. They could feel plush carpeting under their shoes. A key scraped in a lock and they were shoved into another room. They were pushed onto chairs and their hands were untied. Dawn immediately reached up to remove the blindfold. She saw Jake doing the same thing. They seemed to be in an apartment. A brunette woman was standing by the door.

"What is it with bitches kidnapping me?" Dawn demanded in irritation.

"Your friend Angel has our property." Lilah stated calmly.

"And this affects me how?" Dawn baited her.

"You are going to help us get it back." Lilah told them.

Dawn shook her head. "I make it a habit to never help evil bitches." She spat.

"But you don't have to do anything. You're helping right now. As soon as your friends give us back our property, including the vampire that's attached to it, you can go back." Lilah told them.

Dawn looked at her. She couldn't help it. She began to giggle. Her big blue eyes met Jake's gray gaze and they both burst into fits of laughter.

Lilah looked at them in disbelief. "What's so funny?"

Dawn flicked a glance at her. "You wouldn't get it." She wheezed.

"Try me." Lilah hissed.

Jake shook his head. "It's too complicated for you." He managed between his guffaws.

Lilah slammed the door in her fit of anger. She locked it and posted guards on it and around all the exits to the building.

Jake controlled his mirth. "Think we pissed her off?"

"I'd say that was definitely a pissed off bitch." Dawn agreed. "Let's check this place out." She got up and began investigating the apartment. There were two bedrooms but they doubted they would be used. The refrigerator in the kitchen was full. Dawn pulled out a canned soda. Jake stopped her from opening it.

"It might be tampered with." He warned.

She shook her head, long dark hair swinging. "Spike told me it was impossible to tamper with canned stuff." She grinned and handed her companion a drink. She checked cupboards and was delighted to see several different kinds of canned goods. "We're all set food wise. Let's go see if there's a television."

Jake followed the intriguing teenager into the living room. "Aren't you scared?" He asked.

Dawn looked at him. "Nope. I've been kidnapped before. They never hurt me because they always want something else. Well except for that one time that this hell goddess bitch wanted to drain all my blood to open a portal and go to her own hell dimension. Spike tried to stop her and got hurt. My sister died but her friends brought her back after a few months."

"Does everyone you know die and come back?" Jake asked, bemused.

Dawn tilted her head, thinking that one over. "No, just Buffy and Spike. Oh, and Angel that one time that Buffy had to kill him to save the world. Technically, I wasn't there yet but I remember it."

"Huh?" Jake just wasn't following her line of thinking. She sat down of the sofa and patted the cushion next to her.

"We have time. I'll tell you about a whole other world." She invited. "I guess you know about vampires, living with Spike and all?" He nodded. "Well, the thing is…" And she told him about a life of slayers and demons, vampires and keys. The time of their captivity passed swiftly.

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At the Hyperion, plans were being made.

"Xander, go up and get everyone else. Don't bother Spike yet. We may be able to get them back first. I just want everyone else here in the lobby. Willow, are you up for some magic?" Angel began giving orders.

Willow nodded grimly. "Always."

Giles went into Wesley's office and searched for the bottle of bourbon he knew his colleague kept there. He found it and snagged two small glasses before going back out to the lobby. He poured Wes and Susan each a drink. "I think we should order in for a while. I'll charge it to the council card." He suggested.

"That's a good idea. Thanks, Rupert." Angel accepted gratefully.

"Is there a butcher who will deliver? You and Spike will need supplies as well." Giles recalled.

Angel nodded. "He'll deliver." Giles shuddered to think what would happen if the butcher refused.

Gunn and Fred joined the rest in the lobby. The planning began. They debated the pros and cons of Angel's scheme for several hours before the dark vampire convinced everyone that it would work. He asked Wesley to retrieve the broken amulet.

True to his word, Giles ordered dinner for them all as Wesley called the butcher for a delivery.

"Xander, have you checked on Spike recently?" Buffy asked.

Xander checked his watch. "Damn, we've been so busy, I kinda forgot. I'll do it now." He bounded up the stairs, returning in seconds. His face was grim. "He's gone."