Angel had a hard time tracking Illyria through the crowds of demons bowing at the rift that lay at the feet of the Senior Partner. Once they all rose to renew the fighting, it became even harder.

The cloak he had stolen off one of the bodies seemed to offer up some protection from the demon hordes, his vampire face obviously convincing them he was one of them. He let them charge past him as long as he could to try and spot Illyria but eventually he knew he had to turn around to avoid suspicion falling on him.

It was too late.

Another vampire ripped the hood away from Angel's face and punched him squarely in the jaw. Staggering backwards, he raised his arms up in front of him to protect himself from the flurry of blows which followed.

Sensing someone moving behind him, Angel ducked and watched the demons sword disappear in to the vampires gut. It didn't kill him but Angel's swift slice of his own blade did the job.

Spinning round to dispatch the demon behind him, his heart fell when he saw Buffy barrelling through the crowds, sending her enemies flying in all directions. Boy, when that girl got going…

Worried for Buffy's safety, Angel spun on his heel and renewed his efforts to find Illyria. He needed to know the full details of the plan he only knew the bare bones of. If he didn't, he wouldn't have a hope in hell of saving Buffy from whatever was coming.

Charging forward, his sword swinging round ahead of him, Angel managed to break through the ranks. Many of the demons seemed distracted by the ruckus going on somewhere behind him and the cloak was obviously still fooling most of them.

Eventually, Angel caught sight of a flash of blue up ahead. Speeding past as many demons as he could as he replaced the hood of his cloak, he charged up behind her and grabbed her arm, spinning her round to face him.

She was stood higher up than him, perched on the rubble surrounding the vast hole. His sudden movement nearly sent her tumbling backwards in to the abyss. His quick reactions pulled her back, her body landing heavily on top of him and knocking the air out of him.

Groaning, he looked up into her angry eyes as she got back to her feet.

"There's no point getting pissed at me. I need to know what you're planning, Illyria, or I can't help."

Angel practically had to yell over the powerful whooshing sound emanating from the column of black smoke above and the roar of the fires below. She continued glaring at him for a moment, hands on hips. Eventually, she sighed, realising that he was never going to let her leave without explaining.

"I was once an Ancient. I alone can close the wound."

Angel stared at her, obviously not understanding. She stepped closer to him.

"You once had to stop my true form from destroying this mortal shell and the world that held it. You made me weaker."

She seemed angry as she said this but the moment quickly passed and she continued her explanation.

"You may have removed some of my strength but I am still a god, even within this frail body. It takes the power of the sun to close a rift between the dimensions. My life force will suffice."

Angel's eyes widened as he finally grasped the magnitude of what she was telling him.

"No, I can't let you do that! You can't sacrifice yourself for this."

Illyria cocked her head to one side, her eyes examining his face, a look of mild amusement on her face.

"You still see Winifred Burkle in this form. She has been gone for months. You can not save your Fred, just as Wesley could not."

Her expression softened at the familiar name. Angel stepped forward and grabbed her arms, acutely aware that demons were beginning to notice them.

"You can't do this, I won't let you. We'll find another way."

Illyria shook herself free from him and backed up towards the rift.

"No, you will not. There is little time. The light has gone which means your witch is gone. You do not get the sun. You get me."

Speechless, Angel knew she was right. And he also knew he was mainly attempting to stop her only because he still saw Fred in those eyes, in those movements.

The attack from the demons behind them halted any further discussion. Illyria immediately threw two deep in to the rift, their bodies exploding in flames that soared upwards into the smoke.

Angel fought back another four as Illyria clambered back up the debris surrounding the tear in the ground. He felt the blade pierce his side before he ever saw his attacker.

Sinking to his knees, Angel felt the death blow approaching.

But it never came.

Looking up, he was shocked to find Connor fighting back the demons around them. Illyria too had returned from her perch to protect him and Angel was touched by the surprising gesture. The demons around them seemed to back off a little and Illyria turned to him, her face grave.

"You must leave. You all must. Anything near the rift will be swallowed back in to the Hell dimension from whence they came. Even beyond that, a light will spread, killing all in its path. You must leave."

He nodded his understanding and thanks as he pulled the sword out of his side with a groan. She nodded back and clambered back up the rubble. Connor just stared at his father with wide eyes.

"Are you ok?"

Angel clapped a fatherly hand on his shoulder and pretended it wasn't just to hold himself up, offering a pained smile to his son.

"Thanks to you I am."

He swallowed hard as he stood up straight, handing the sword he'd just removed to Connor. Together they faced the armies ahead. Angel cast a glance in his son's direction.

"Did you hear what Illyria said?"

Connor just nodded, never taking his eyes off the demons as they warily approached.

"Then you know I need you to get out of here. What she's about to do… It'll be like a nuke has hit us. You've got to run, run away from here as fast as you can. We'll meet back at the hotel."

The demons were nearly on them. Connor couldn't help but stare at his father, fear in his voice.

"And while I'm running, where will you be?"

"Right behind you, son. Always right there behind you."

Connor smiled and Angel felt their connection remove the pain in his side. As one, father and son stepped forward, their movements synchronised as they carved a path through the masses.

Reaching a small gap and knowing he only had seconds to spare, Angel reached out to his son, pulling him close and kissing his forehead.

"I love you, Connor. I always have and I always will, no matter what happens. I love you and I could never be more proud of you. Now run."

Connor moved forward but paused, staring back at his father.

"I love you too. See you at the hotel."

Fighting back attacks from all sides, Angel watched his son run to safety and felt a part of his heart go with him. Feeling the nick of a glancing blow from yet another sword, Angel fully returned to the job at hand and knew he had to find Buffy, had to get her out of there.

Ignoring the pain throughout his body, he surged forward, his movements lightning fast as he delivered blow after deadly blow, his eyes constantly searching for Buffy. He felt hope begin to buoy his heart.

Maybe Connor's already told her. Maybe she's already gone.

He felt his heart in his mouth as darker thoughts crept in.

She'd never run. She'd die before she'd run. Buffy…

Glancing over his shoulder, it was impossible to miss Illyria. Her whole body seemed to be cracking open, shards of light bursting outwards. Instead of absorbing the energy like Willow's white magic from the hotel, Illyria's life force seemed to be slowing the Senior Partner's solidification, the smoke swirling angrily above.

The demons closest to the rift began to look upwards, fear on their ugly visages. Seeing his opportunity, Angel charged forward, weaving between the monsters as he searched for Buffy.

Not too far in the distance, he caught a glimpse of blonde. Darting forward, Angel could think of nothing but making sure she was safe.

Although many of the demons were now staring upwards as the black cloud roared in anger, many more still blocked Angel's way. Something that looked distinctly like a troll was firmly in his path.

Sighing heavily, Angel swung his sword upwards, slicing at the enormous arm. The blow just bounced off the leathery hide, a look of faint amusement passing across the troll's face.

Swallowing hard, Angel ducked and rolled out of the way of a giant foot the size of an elephant's. Springing to his feet, he grabbed another sword from the hands of a fallen demon. Although it was shorter and lighter than his favourite broadsword, Angel knew he could do some serious damage if given the chance.

Feinting left, Angel didn't expect the troll to guess his move and was unprepared for the tree trunk arm that sent him soaring backwards. Landing heavily at least twenty feet away, he came to a skidding halt at the feet of a surprised demon. Swinging out a leg, Angel brought it crashing to the ground and, as he was getting up, twisted its neck sharply, leaving it lying still on the concrete.

Both his weapons bared, he raced forward. Swinging the broadsword above his head to discourage any other demons from approaching, Angel reached the troll and sunk the smaller blade deep in to its arm. It threw its head back in pain, letting out a deep bone-rattling howl.

Seeing his opportunity, Angel used the small sword as a hand hold, swinging himself up on the troll's forearm. Clambering up to the shoulder, the beast tried to bat him away but his stocky arms failed to reach him. It began to thrash about wildly, leaving numerous demons crushed in its wake.

Gripping an ear the size of his own torso, Angel manoeuvred himself to the fleshy area at the base of the troll's neck, his feet firmly placed against the greyish flesh covering the shoulder blades. With all his might, he buried his broadsword deep in to the back of the monster's neck, feeling the spine shatter beneath his blow.

The troll teetered there for a moment with Angel hanging on for dear life, before it simply toppled forwards like a felled tree. The vampire jumped off and headed back to his target, his eyes constantly scanning for another glimpse of blonde.

Glancing back the way he had come, he could barely see Illyria due to the glare that she was creating. Numerous demons were charging towards her but as soon as they came anywhere near the light, they burnt up in seconds.

Angel couldn't help but think of Doyle and his heart sank.

Knowing Illyria was safe from attack but that he didn't have much time, Angel turned back to the armies ahead of him. The roars from the dispersing smoke above seemed to be sending the majority of them back towards the rift, apparently in an attempt to stop the god from ending their takeover.

Suddenly, he saw blonde movement out of the corner of his eye and immediately spun left to find the source. There was something unfamiliar about it however and rounding yet another monster, Angel saw why.

Spike was surrounded. A spider-like creature was attacking him with its numerous limbs while about six others swung at him with swords, axes and barbed tentacles. The bleached blonde vampire seemed to be bleeding from every inch of his body and was obviously struggling.

As much as he hated him half of the time, Angel charged forwards to help, his sword swinging at the spider creature's numerous legs. It turned its multiple eyes on him and he felt a deep sense of revulsion, driving him to bury his sword as deep as he could in to the largest cluster of eyes.

Backing away, he watched warily as the monster's remaining good legs wobbled precariously before the beast finally fell. The blonde vamp offered a hurried but thankful nod at his grandsire. Two of Spike's attackers subsequently turned on Angel who struggled to fight them back.

Not sure if they were freakishly strong or if he was just getting tired, Angel found the pair of them difficult to defeat. As he fought with all the strength he had, he could feel the heat of Illyria's light on his back and felt the panic rising within him.

I've got to find Buffy.

Just the thought of her gave Angel the drive he needed to finish off his two opponents and he charged towards Spike, hoping the fellow vampire would be able to give him answers to the Slayer's whereabouts.

Spike raised his sword above his head to swing it round, decapitating the demon in front of him. He turned to Angel, a strange look on his face. Angel looked down, seeing the plank of wood sticking out of the blonde's chest and felt his heart fall.

Spike's eyes widened.

"Oh shi…."

He exploded in a hail of dust.

Oz and Xander charged in to the hotel's back yard, both worried by the enormous cracks snaking through the outside walls. The entire structure looked like it was about to collapse and the garden was definitely a hell dimension creation, bizarre and dangerous looking plants growing before their very eyes.

Racing inside, Xander felt a gasp escape his lips. Willow was lying on the lobby floor, her skin deathly pale and her eyes closed. Giles lay slumped over, an enormous gash pouring blood from his right temple.

Xander grabbed the Englishman's shoulders, laying him down gently while Oz checked Willow for a pulse. The instant paling of the werewolf's cheeks told Xander his worse fears had been realised.

Blinking back tears, he felt Giles begin to stir. Turning his attention to the former Watcher, he helped him sit up.

Giles blinked rapidly, his fingers gingerly prodding his wound with a grimace. His eyes were soon drawn to Willow's lifeless form.

"Oh God…"

Xander swallowed hard and scuttled over to his best friend's side, immediately beginning to perform CPR as he battled back the tears. Oz seemed to snap back to reality though his eyes were grieving as he leant down to breathe air in to Willow's lungs.

They performed these actions in silence for five minutes to no avail. Willow was gone. Oz sat back, tears flowing freely down his cheeks as he brushed rebel tendrils of red hair away from her face. Xander shook his head frantically.

"No! No, she's not going to die. She can't! She's Willow…"

He renewed his efforts, ignoring the fact that Giles too had tears on his face. Seeing this father figure cry would be the last straw. He would only have tears if she was dead and Xander refused to accept it. Oz seemed to silently agree, moving back in to position to perform the kiss of life while Giles struggled to move closer, his injury making him dizzy and disorientated.

They kept at it for another five minutes. Then another ten. They couldn't give up, not on Willow. They kept pushing the blood through her body, kept forcing air in to her lungs, kept willing her to come back to them.

After twenty minutes, Xander felt all hope begin to drain out of him as the tears poured down his dirty cheeks. Giles sobbed quietly behind them and Xander knew he had to stop.

Connor suddenly burst through the doors, skidding to a stop at the sight in front of him. Giles's tear stained face looked up at him and Connor just shook his head frantically, moving to Xander's side. He just looked up at him too, unable to find a single word to express the grief that now gripped his heart. Instead, he just looked back down at her, giving her chest one final push.

Willow was gone.

Then she breathed. She actually breathed. Oz's face was just inches from her own and he remained there, frozen in place as he stared down in disbelief.

Willow was actually breathing. Xander felt himself laughing as she began to cough, her eyes flying open and blinking rapidly. Slowly, colour began to creep back in to her lips and cheeks. Xander scooped her up in to his arms, holding her tight to his chest and unable to stop laughing as the relief washed over him.

Oz was still just staring but both Giles and Connor soon joined in the laughter. Suddenly, Oz darted forward, embracing Willow from behind. A muffled protest made both he and Xander pull away, but not too far.

Willow looked up at them with wide eyes, another coughing fit descending on her. Xander grinned down at her, tenderly tucking her hair behind her ears.

"I thought we'd lost you, Will."

She offered an exhausted smile, her voice hoarse.

"How could I leave you lot? You'd be totally lost without me."

Xander laughed and held her tight again, eventually relinquishing her to Oz, if only so he could move away to brush off his tears and take a steadying breath. Connor clapped a thankful hand on his shoulder and beamed at him happily.

Giles sighed with relief, steadying himself against the counter as Willow pulled away from Oz slightly, turning to face the entire group.

"Where are the others? What happened?"

An enormously bright light flashed outside, blinding everyone in the lobby, followed by a deafening roar. A large whoosh sounded and everything outside the glass doors seemed to be sucked backwards in a powerful wind.

His eyes wide and full of fear, Connor stood frozen on the spot.

Angel? Where's Angel? Where's my daddy…

Spike turned around, a strange look on his face. Angel looked down, seeing the plank of wood sticking out of the blonde's chest and felt his heart sink.

Spike's eyes widened.

"Oh shi…."

He exploded in a hail of dust, revealing another blonde behind him, her eyes widening in shock and grief.

Angel raced forward, trying to avoid the ash as best as he could, desperate to reach Buffy. A single tear traced a path through the dirt on her cheek and he wiped it away, his heart breaking for her.

If only there was time, I'd wipe all your tears away.

He grabbed her shoulders, shaking her slightly to pull her back to the here and now. After a few moments, her sad eyes locked with his and he leaned in close, the kiss brief but intense, comforting them both.

Angel pulled back, her face cupped in his hands as he glanced over his shoulder.

If only there was time, there's so much I need to say.

He turned back to her, his face grim.

"Buffy, we need to get out of here now. Illyria's about to close the rift. It takes the power of the sun so you can imagine how much we shouldn't be here right now."

Her eyes widened.

"Connor?"

Angel smiled, touched by her concern for his son, aware it wasn't something that she would have been able to accept too easily.

"He's back at the hotel. We've got to go. Now!"

She nodded mutely, her eyes still wide. Angel felt her move away from him as he turned back to look at Illyria. All he could see of her now was a faint silhouette, the light hurting his eyes as he watched her launch herself into a swan dive.

The demons around them froze in fear as the smoke above seemed to burst and flow outwards before suddenly getting sucked back in with an agonised roar. The light seemed to absorb it but then it suddenly grew impossibly bright, spreading out toward them.

There's not enough time.

Angel spun on his heel and dove forward, knocking Buffy to the ground and covering her with his entire body as he gripped at the cracks in the ground, attempting to keep a strong hold.

Underneath him, Buffy could barely see anything. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the feet of numerous demons sweep past, never even touching the ground as they were sucked towards the rift with piercing screams.

Grabbing at Angel's chest, she felt the power of Illyria's sacrifice pulling at them and the heat of the light above her. Fear began to restrict her chest as she buried her head against Angel's breast, realising what he was doing for her.

The roar of the wind and the brightness of the light began to die down, and Angel pulled slightly up, giving Buffy more room to breathe. He looked down at her, her eyes wide. Even for a vampire, he was impossibly pale and he knew it. He knew why.

There's never enough time.

The tears flowing freely now, she smiled at him, nothing but love and admiration in her eyes.

"You saved me."

He smiled back down at her, the pain subsiding with the look in her eye.

"Of course I did. You're my girl."

Buffy could feel his weight on her getting less and less as he paled even more and she clutched at him, determined to never let him go. He just smiled down at her, acceptance in his eyes. She did her best to smile back through the tears.

"Always."

With her final words to her greatest love, the warmth of the breeze carried him away and all Angel felt was peace.

He finally found some peace.