Previously…

'So do you think we won?

'Do you think maybe…' Angel began before being interrupted by Spike.

'…No. We are not going to them Angel, we can't. You know we can't.

'Who says we can't Spike?'

'Angel, you're not angry at me, are you?' Spike asked.

'I think we should go to England, Spike.' Angel answered. 'It's not safe to stay here. The city is a mess, and everyone is living in hiding.'

'That's exactly why we need to stay here. These people need our help. If we don't do anything, then who will?'

Spike's question was answered by a familiar female voice. 'I will.'

Chapter Two:

Spike turned around to see a quite friendly familiar face staring at him with a grief-stricken expression.

'Buffy?' Angel spoke, surprised. 'What are you doing here? In L.A?'

'Hi Spike.' Buffy turned and said casually to Spike. He spluttered in response. He was astounded that she wasn't even a little bit surprised to see him.

'Uh, Buffy?' he began. 'About what happened back in Sunnydale…'

'Spike you don't need to explain. Andrew spilled.' Spike rolled his eyes. That little bugger was never good at keeping a secret.

'Buffy, why are you here?' Angel asked again. Spike was still confused as t why she didn't even want answers.

'Angel, there's someone who wants to see you.' Buffy said, almost regrettably.

'Who?' Angel asked.

'Faith.'

'Faith?' Spike asked, surprised. 'What does she want with Angel?' Angel was intrigued though, and wanted to know what was wrong. He could tell that something was wrong.

'Buffy, what is it?' Angel asked. He was getting anxious; he could tell something was wrong too, just like Spike.

'Angel, I'm sorry to tell you this, because we only just found out ourselves and it's a little upsetting.'

'Buffy, just tell me what it is, please.'

'Angel, Faith's in the hospital.' Buffy told him finally.

'What's wrong?'

'She's been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Angel, she's only got a few months.' Buffy was almost in tears. For a few moments there was silence and Illyria wandered outside into the street from the little apartment. The sun was beginning to rise and Spike and Angel knew that they had to get inside.

'Buffy, you can come back to our apartment. We can talk there.' Angel suggested as he turned and walked away. He didn't bother to check if the others were following, he just headed back inside, hardly even thinking. He was taken by complete surprise with the news and couldn't decide whether he was upset or worried or angry or concerned or anything else. He felt numb.

Why hadn't he felt Faith's pain? He had grown closer to Faith during their little 'out of body experience' a few years back when Angelus got loose in Los Angeles. So why hadn't he been able to sense that there was something wrong? He didn't know. All he knew was that he had to get more information about Faith's condition.

Inside the apartment, Buffy, Illyria, Spike and Angel sat in silence for several minutes before Illyria spoke up.

'Why are we not talking?'

'We're getting there.' Spike told her. 'Buffy, can you explain a little thing for us here? What's the deal with Faith?'

'Spike!' Angel scolded quickly getting everyone's attention. 'Let me ask the questions.' He hadn't looked up from where he sat in his chair in the corner of the room.

'Angel, are you alright?' Buffy asked.

'Buffy, tell me everything you know. Tell me what caused it. Tell me how long you've known. Tell me where she is.'

'Angel, I know you have a lot of questions, but I can't answer all of them. I know nearly as much as you do.'

'But I know nothing.' Angel whispered through gritted teeth. Buffy sighed, sorry to see him like this.

'Exactly.' She told him. 'All I know is that Faith is in the Royal Hospital and that she has been diagnosed with…' Angel angrily interrupted her before she'd even finished the sentence.

'You already told us. What else do you know besides that?'

'Angel, I'm sorry that this is hurting you but there is nothing I can do. We were all as hurt as you when we found out.'

'What about Faith, how's she holding up?' Angel asked suddenly. 'Can I go and see her?'

'That's why I'm here. Giles has got word from a source he had tracking you that you were still here in L.A. With your friend, Illyria I'm assuming.' Buffy referred to the blue woman she stood standing against the wall near the bathroom. 'I plan to stay here and fight with Illyria while you and Spike go and see Faith in hospital. She asked for you specifically Angel, but Spike, I think she'd benefit from seeing you too.'

'We'll go right away.' Angel said. 'As soon as night falls.'

A/N: Hope you like this story so far. Just for the record, there probably isn't a "Royal Hospital" in Los Angeles at all. I don't know, because I don't live in America. I was just making up a hospital to have Faith in. I apologise for anyone who has anything wrong with my reasoning, but it's all I've got. If somebody can give me the name of an actually major hospital in Los Angeles, then I'd be glad to replace the "Royal Hospital" with an actual hospital. Apologies again.