Buffy regained consciousness slowly through a haze of pain. Fire still burned in her right shoulder and her left eye seemed to be glued shut. Pain exploded as she tried to turn her head. It took several tries before she could turn it and look around without passing out again. Spike was curled up in a tight ball across from her shaking as if in a fever. One of the guards was face up in a pool of blood. The other was lying with his head at a strange angle. Drawing strength from the First One she finally managed to get to her feet. The shooting pain in her head settled into a heavy throb as she staggered to Spike. Seeing the tears on his face reminded her of her promise. Slowly and carefully she pulled herself along the wall until she could slide down the stairs to their prison. She found Miss Edith at the table where the tea party was still laid out. Clutching her to her chest she wobbled back to the stairs.

A less foggy part of her mind forced her to look at George's body. His neck had also been broken. Sliding down the wall she reached shakily into his pockets and found what a whisper was telling her to find. She dialed Giles number by propping the cell phone against the wall, then snarled in pain and frustration when it returned 'No Signal'.

She sat slumped against the wall defeated. Just as she started to fade she heard Faith's voice in her head, "Can't let them win..." it repeated over and over again. Dimly she remembered and it gave her the strength to haul herself back to her feet. Slowly she made her way through the building until she came to the outside. Once again she dialed Giles number. "Giles," her voice came out as a ragged croak. "Help. We are in the basement of the old factory. Spike's hurt bad. Hurry."

"Buffy. What happened? What's going on?"

She stumbled back to Spike, slid down the wall, and collapsed against him, Miss Edith still clutched in her arm. The phone fell forgotten to the floor as she tumbled into darkness once more.