A/N: Warning: This chapter does contain violence.

Angel walked through the still-busy streets in downtown, trying to find the local mall. Luckily, it was cloudy enough outside that he didn't have to wait too long after the sun began to set before he could travel. But even with the dim light, he tried to keep to the shadows, wishing that he could just blend into his surroundings completely. However despite his efforts, most people who walked by him definitely noticed him; shooting confused or angered looks his way. Angel was not a fool, he knew that he would be recognized, but he'd always hated large crowds and all the attention on him was unnerving. Sighing, he once again looked around, hoping to find some indication of where he was. Then he felt it, a feeling as though something was about to happen. Something that would change (or possibly end) his unlife.

Angel looked up to see a group of at least half a dozen guys heading his was; none were looking happy to see him. They all seemed to fallow three other men, the tallest (who looked to be the leader) was about the same height as Angel; he had light brown hair and was wearing a camouflage outfit. Realising that he really had no place to run, and seeing a few of them pull weapons out of their coats, Angel groaned. Looks like he was about to meet the "spitfire" that Doyle had referred to... He couldn't have been more right.

Meanwhile, Buffy was in the very middle of the downtown, blocking punches from a fairly strong and well-trained brunette. She had met up with Gunn and Faith to train, as promised, and at the moment she was thankful that she had managed to get a few hours of needed rest after going home again.

Buffy had known Faith for most of her life, they had started training together when they were twelve. Faith, like Gunn, had been put on active duty several years back and was usually assigned to take care of the demon problems. She was pretty wild but followed orders well, she and Gunn often worked together on assignments, they had known each other all their lives and got along like brother and sister. Even with their busy schedules, Gunn and Faith still trained with Buffy on occasion. Most would find their meeting place strange, considering they were practically in the middle of town in the open, but there was a small platform there that they often used. It also allowed Faith and Gunn to keep their eye on the city (because it was so high up), and gave them a few minutes head start over the other warriors if something were to go wrong.

Buffy dodged a punch from Faith, retaliating with her own side-kick.

"I just don't get why the council refuses to put me on duty!" she complained, blocking Faith's attacks. "I mean, I'm older than either of you two were when you were put on patrols!"

"Don't worry about it B, your turn will come." Faith said, attempting to hit Buffy in the gut.

Buffy dodged to attack before jumping up and landing a kick to the brunette's side.

"But there's no reason why I shouldn't be out there!"

"Kid you know how it works," Gunn said, "They'll call you when you're ready. I mean come on, both Faith and I can still beat you."

Buffy took a second to glare at him,

"Ya, and you two have also been on duty for years now, you've had way more experience than me."

"That's not the only problem Buffy, not that you don't sneak out to patrol anyway. You're speed could use work, your technique is way off, not to mention your form. And your concentration is all over the place, you always should be ready to defend yourself-"

Gunn didn't have time to finish his statement before a fist collided with his jaw. Before he could react, he found himself flat on his back, the girl in question standing over him.

"What was that you were saying about 'always being ready'?" she asked smirking.

"Lucky shot." Gunn said, getting up, trying not to groan at the throbbing pain coming from his jaw.

He looked up at Faith who was laughing whole-heartedly at him.

"Wow Charlie-boy, for someone so bad at fighting, it looks like she just knocked you flat on your ass."

"Come on Faith, you know as well as I do that Buffy's not ready to start patrolling. And you shouldn't be sneaking out either kid, if anyone but me found out about it you'd be in some major trouble."

Buffy was about to protest when a strange feeling swept over her. A feeling of utter dread emerging from her very soul; the sense that something was going horribly wrong. Panicked, she looked around, scanning the streets for anything out of place. Then she saw it. A group of people crowded around someone, weapons flashing throughout them.

"Gunn!"

Her two companions came over to her, gasping slightly at the sight before them.

"A mob." Faith said, turning to her partner.

Gunn nodded.

"Looks like civilians, we're gonna need backup for this. Buffy stay here, Faith and I have to get the others."

Buffy opened her mouth to reply, but then a slight opening in the crowd emerged. Buffy saw a man with dark hair in the middle of it all, his face was shadowed but immediately she knew who it was.

"Oh my god."

Without a second thought Buffy started off towards the crowd, but a firm grip on her arm stopped her.

"Buffy listen to me, this is dangerous you're not a part of this. It's our job, let us do it. Stay here" Gunn said, giving her an intimidating look.

Buffy sighed and withdrew slightly, but the moment Gunn released his grip on her she pulled away and kicked him square in the chest, his body falling backwards from the unexpected attack. She quickly took off, ignoring the protests coming from behind her and ran as fast as she could towards the crowd.

Angel hurt. Everywhere. After the commando-wannabes showed up they were soon joined by several of the residents; all who were out for blood. Angel had tried to fight them off but there were too many. He was now on the ground, trying to move away, but his efforts only ended in vain. Everywhere he turned someone was there, hit after hit his strength lessened, he couldn't get a good look at how many were there before someone else would come beating down on him. Angry yells pounded in his ears, each word filled with hatred. He looked up and saw a steel pipe coming his way; he tried moving away, but could only let out a scream of pain when it came down on him.

It seemed as though the pain would never end, then he saw someone advancing on him, the leader that started this whole thing. In his hand was a large wooden stake, the man raised his arm, preparing to end Angel's unlife. The vampire cringed, waiting for the devastating blow. That's when it happened.

An arm came out of nowhere, stopping the stake mere inches from his heart. He looked up to see a petite woman kick the leader in the gut, sending him several feet backwards. He was amazed when her face came into view, it was the blonde goddess he had met before. He could only stare as she fought off his attackers, blocking their attacks and landing her own.

Buffy was enraged. As soon as she had seen Angel's injuries, any amount of self-control she possessed snapped. It had almost awakened something inside of her, a primal force giving her strength she didn't know she had. It didn't matter who they were, all that mattered is that they had hurt the man who had stolen her heart. She drove them back, blocking and delivering attacks as though it were second nature. Her eyes came upon a familiar face; it was the man who had tried to stake Angel.

"Riley!" she yelled, with such anger that everyone around her froze.

"Buffy?" Riley asked surprised.

"What the HELL do you think you're doing?" she yelled.

Behind her, Angel almost smirked at her tone. For reasons unknown to him, she was pissed about this, and there was definitely going to be hell to pay.

"It's not what you think." Riley said quickly.

"Oh really? Well that's great 'cause it looked like you were about to kill an innocent man!"

"Buffy you don't understand, he's a vampire!"

Angel cringed, if the woman, Buffy, as the man had called her, was willing to help him before he highly doubted she would be too fond of him now.

Buffy advanced on Riley, getting up in his face. Those around her couldn't help but feel intimidated by the 5-foot, something blonde.

"I know what he is Riley. And I'm telling you to stay the hell away from him." She turned, regarding the people around her. "All of you listen up! This vampire is under my protection. NO ONE is to hurt him and if ANY of you even THINK of harming him in any way, shape, or form, I WILL hunt you down and make you wish you'd never been born."

Suddenly terrified of the blonde (and knowing by her expression that her threats were anything but empty) any remaining civilians fled quickly, leaving Buffy and the wounded vampire alone with Riley and his comrades.

Turning her attention to the injured stranger, Buffy slowly bent down to him, her disposition immediately changing. Carefully, she reached her hand forward and lightly caressed his cheek. Almost not believing what was happening, Angel looked up into her eyes, surprised at the concern he found there. She offered him a weak smile before coming closer to him and carefully resting his head on her lap, gently stroking his hair.

"It's okay. You're safe now." She said, whispering lightly to him.

Angel was shocked at first, not knowing how to react. But a part of him instinctively knew that he could trust her, sighing, he relaxed under her touch.

"Buffy!"

Buffy looked up to see Gunn, Faith, and a few other warriors rushing towards them, weapons drawn and shocked expressions plastered on their faces. Coming only a few feet from Buffy, Gunn eyed her curiously.

"Buffy, what happened?"

Buffy looked up at him.

"Riley and these goons attacked this man, a bunch of civilians decided to join in on the party. Riley was about to stake him when I got here, I managed to fight them off."

"You mean you fought all those people off?"

Buffy didn't reply, merely shot daggers at Riley.

"He's a vampire, I was trying to do my job." Riley said defensively.

With a glance at the fallen vampire, Buffy slowly got up, brining her companion with her. Angel groaned at the pain that shot through him at the movement, she quickly put her arm around him for support. Once Angel was steadied, Buffy let go of him slowly, before walking towards Riley.

"Riley?" she asked, her voice sweet.

"Ya?"

A crack whipped through the air as Buffy's fist collided with the warrior's nose, knocking him off balance and to the ground.

"That is for so NOT doing your job!" before he could get up, she punched him again. "And that is for what you did to him!"

"Buffy!" Faith warned, surprised at her usually peaceful friend's actions.

"After what he did he's lucky he still has all his body-parts intact." She said bitterly.

Turning away from them, Buffy put her arms around Angel again.

"Can you walk?"

Angel nodded. Leaning on the blonde warrior for support, the two of them slowly made their way across town. Leaving the others staring at their retreating forms, stunned into silence.

End of Chapter Five.