Chapter 9

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Gunn thought about who might have caused Angel's little nightmare. Angel had no shortage of enemies, even more since they took over Wolfram and Hart. Gunn didnt neccessarily trust Lindsay or Eve, but he trusted Lorne when he said that those two were with him when it happenned. Fred might have done this, but why would she betray them? The third possibility was that some unknown individual might have stolen Fred's earings and used a glamour to take Eve's form. Gunn wanted that one to be true, because Eve had an alibi and he didn't want to not trust Fred. Then one day, about a week after the incident, Fred came to see Gunn.

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Gunn: Fred, everything okay?

Fred: No. You know things have been a bit awkward at work lately.

Gunn: You mean because Angel thinks you might have betrayed him? Hadn't noticed.

Fred: I'm worried about him. This job, it's making him paranoid. He's starting to trust Lindsay and Eve more than he trusts us. And he knows for a fact that they're plotting to betray him.

Gunn: They're neccessary allies, for now.

Fred: So what, we either use them and destroy them, or we wait until they betray us.

Gunn: Now you're sounding paranoid.

Fred: Yeah, I guess I am. It's this job, makes us all paranoid.

Gunn: You thinking of leaving?

Fred: Maybe I am.

Gunn: Can't say I blame you. Wesley couldn't take this job either, maybe you and he are just better than me.

Fred: I never said that. Why don't we leave together. Help the helpless, fight evil.

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Gunn looked into Fred's eyes, he missed that look. That look that would have gotten him to do just about anything, back when they were dating. But now, he was too influenced by Wolfram and Hart.

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Gunn: I'm sorry Fred, but I'm staying.

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Gunn turned his back on Fred. He didn't want to look at her face, and know he couldn't kiss her again. He didn't even notice when Fred took a gun from her purse, and shot him. It was only a tranquilizer dart, but it still shocked him. As he lost consciousness Gunn wanted to know why.

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Gunn: I don't understand.

Fred: I tried to reason with you, with Angel, but it's too late now.

Gunn: So you betrayed us?

Fred: You betrayed the cause Charles. Still, I won;t kill you. You'll be asleep for about a day. When you wake up, it will be over. I can't stop you from making bad choices again, but I can give you a second chance.

Gunn: What will be over?

Fred: Wolfram and Hart. You have a second chance Charles, make the most of it.