My profuse apologies for neglecting to thank Peaches and Banadar and Cathode for their superior Beta reading; you guys are the best.

Also a shout out to Katie, thanks for the reviews, I truly appreciate them.

THROUGH AN ANGEL'S EYES – Chapter 2

I hadn't thought Riley was seriously hurt, I mean I knew he was hurt, but he had just been moving so I didn't think it was that bad. This idea went right out the window when Dawn rolled him over. I could see a huge number of wounds and both his legs looked broken. This was a problem. Power wise, I could heal him, but then I would have to wait to recover under the eyes and questions of some very smart and experienced people; or I could take both him and Janice somewhere more private and have others help him. This would keep me, and more importantly Janice out of the spotlight of the US Government, unfortunately it would kind of hang the soldiers out to dry. But the secret that Janice and I represented was a primary concern. I looked at Dawn "how's your energy?"

She glanced at me quickly, knowing what was going through my mind; "tap city" she said.

I looked up at the remaining guy in charge. "We need to get these two to help right now".

The guy just gaped at me "who the hell are you people?"

Dawn flared up "we are the people that just saved your asses; now, any seriously wounded other than agent Finn?"

"No" the guy answered "but the evac will be here in an hour".

I gestured at Riley "he hasn't got an hour." I nodded to Dawn "we need to leave, NOW". She just nodded. I looked at the soldiers and said "Your commander will know how to locate agent Finn." I grabbed hold of Janice and Dawn. Dawn grabbed Riley and Sam. Then we caught the express to Spain.

We appeared in the middle of a hall with a lightly padded floor and walls that were covered with weapons. A blond girl was working out with a staff near one wall. "Get help" I yelled; but she just stared at the lot of us. Dawn let loose at the top of her lungs; screaming for help while trying to stop the worst of Riley's bleeding. An older girl popped her head in, saw us and popped right back out. Dawn called her a coward and several less flattering things. I had checked Janice and Riley was being cared for, so now I began putting Sam's remains back together. I didn't really have the energy to spare, but it was the right thing to do. The girl in the corner saw what I was doing, got a good look at the body and passed out.

Dawn noticed her collapse, "heart of a lion" she muttered.

Finally, all of Dawn's yelling paid off. The doors burst open and Faith and Buffy came running in with several trainees and a lady in a white coat.

She looked at me "who's first?"

I pointed to Riley, "he's the only one in immediate danger. She nodded briskly and a couple of trainees loaded Riley onto a gurney and whisked him away. Buffy whispered to two of the newbies and they took care of Sam's body. Once they were gone, Buffy knelt down and looked at her sister. She could see in Dawn's eyes things she had seen many times before. The guilt at being alive and OK, the shock at seeing someone you know die violently, the shame that you couldn't do more; all these thoughts chasing themselves around in your head. I guess she just never expected to see it so raw in her sister. Slowly, she helped Dawn to her feet, and led her out of the training room.

"You do know how to make an entrance Ian", Faith said. She was smiling, but her eyes were sad.

I stood up with Janice in my arms; "a room for her and a shower for me, please." Faith just nodded and led me a short way down the hall. It was a clean, spare room, with just a bed, chair and night stand. Probably a monks cell at one time. I laid Janice on the bed, and followed Faith out of the room. She spoke as we walked down the hall, 'who is she?"

"One of my kind" I answered, but she is damaged. I wont know how badly until she wakes up."

Faith looked surprised, "she looked OK to me".

"On the outside, yeah, but on the inside, she burned away her humanity to repel demons; I just don't know how much is left."

Faith just shrugged and pointed to the shower room. I turned on the water and scrubbed. The dirt and blood and guts came off; I wasn't doing to well cleaning off the guilt. I was just standing there, tears mixing with the water, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Faith was there, as she had been before; those intense brown eyes searching mine. "God Faith" I said "I watched her die. I mean, I know in my head that I didn't make any wrong decisions, but my heart is having a tough time believing it."

She just nodded, "been there, done that" she said.

I don't know how long she stood there and held me; but finally she said "I'm drowning here Ian."

I stepped back and looked at her; she was looking like a flood victim.

"Not to mention, Dawn would kill me if she saw us like this."

I laughed, "you're probably right". I dried myself off and put on a robe that didn't look like it had anything better to do.

"So, where to", she asked.

"Riley" I said, "I owe it to him to be there when he wakes up".

"Better you then me", she said, "he still hates my guts."

I knew that there was probably and interesting story behind that comment, but at the moment I was too tired to care. Faith led me to the medical area. I sat in a chair at the foot of Riley's bed, and let sleep catch up to me. Fortunately, there were no dreams.