Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Joss Whedon. I don't own them, so don't sue me. Also, some of my characters and settings come from the Buffy books "The Gatekeeper Trilogy" by Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder.

Authors note: Finally got some momentum in writing this story, chapters should be coming faster now. As always, any feedback you have as to whether it's a plot worth pursuing, or ideas about plot would be greatly appreciated and positive comments will probably speed up the time between chapters. Thanks

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Angel stumbled his way into the kitchen, following the directions that Willow had given him. Along the way, he passed several slayers who looked him over suspiciously before nodding in his general direction. When he got to the kitchen, he was surprised to see Whistler and Kennedy playing a game of cards while Illyria stood watching them with a look or bored interest.

"Finally you have awakened," Illyria said to him curtly. "There is sustenance in that box for you to become ready to battle these foes I have been told about."

"That chick's been gunning for a fight ever since you guys got here; wish she would chill out a bit. I'm Kennedy, by the way, and you must be Angel." She got up to get Angel some blood from the fridge as he sat down wearily in one of the chairs.

"Nice to meet you. And thanks," he said as she handed him a mug of warm blood. He sighed as he took the drink, feeling the blood start to return his strength almost immediately.

"Nice to see you too buddy, and you're welcome about saving your ass and all." Whistler re-dealt and he and Kennedy started playing again.

"So isn't someone going to fill me in on what's going on?" Angel asked, ignoring Whistler's comment. The demon knew he was grateful, he just enjoyed trying to make Angel squirm.

"No need to be getting back on that white horse of yours quite yet Angel. There's a meeting later tonight to fill in everyone on the situation. Figured it would be easier to only have to go over it all once, when the entire chain of command is in one place. Till then I suggest you rest up, may be a while till you get another chance.

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The fortress Nikki took him to was indeed that; a fortress. From the outside it looked like everything else on the ghost roads; grey, shapeless, easy to miss if one didn't know what they were looking for. However, when Nikki opened the door and they stepped inside Wesley was surprised to see that the inside was very much like a real building with solid wood walls and even some color.

As Nikki led the way inside she explained to Wes that some of the witches among their number had found the place. They had discovered a way to tap into a part of the living world, and thus this building. The only way to access it was through the entrance from the ghost roads; no one could enter the place from the mortal world, though it existed there as well.

Wesley thought the building looked remarkably like one of the houses in London the counsel had used to house guests from time to time, but reasoned that that couldn't possibly be. As they stepped in a room that appeared to be a meeting chamber Nikki stopped. A girl of around 12 stood inside talking to a woman her vaguely recognized. As they entered, the woman sent the girl on an errand then came over to talk to Nikki.

"You're back early," she said to Nikki. "Who's this? And where are the others?"

"This is Wesley; he used to be a watcher. Wes, this is Jenny, one of the witches I told you about."

"Jenny Calendar? From Sunnydale?" At her surprised look he continued. "You were killed by Angelus, right?"

"How do you know that?" she asked, confused.

"I worked with Giles for a while; he spoke of you quite fondly."

"Giles?" She smiled and blushed faintly. "How is he?"

"Last I heard he was doing very well, he's in charge of the Watcher's Counsel now," he answered.

"Sorry to break up your little reunion," Nikki interrupted, "but I really need to speak to Joyce."

"I just sent Sarah to find her," Jenny replied. "What happened? Where are Alex and Natasha?"

"Dead," Nikki replied tersely.

As they spoke, Wes saw the girl return accompanied by an older woman. Thought he had never actually met her, it was obvious to him at once that the woman was Joyce Summers. Her resemblance to Buffy was uncanny. So she was the woman leading the army of dead slayers.