Several days had passed since the group had retrieved the Sword of Daylight. Catherine and Angel both had become uneasy as Quinn made no move and the only demon activity was from the occasional young vampire that was soon dust. Catherine took the few quiet days to train with her new weapon on the rooftops of the apartments. Angel would watch from the side as she gracefully practiced her parries and thrusts. Every move she made was slow and precise, making it known that this was something she had been doing for years. Catherine's movements were quick and smooth as she lost herself in the routines she practiced, vaguely aware of angel's eyes watching her move. After the fourth quiet night in a row, Angel found Catherine again on the rooftop. It was Sunday and the club was closed for the night. Catherine had come up to the roof right after sunset and Angel soon followed. This time she was without her Sword and was sitting quietly on the edge of the building. She gazed at the lights in the distance, a slight smile formed on her lips as she felt Angel step onto the roof. He walked quietly towards her and was directly behind her when she spoke up.
"I always loved looking at the stars when we were younger and then the lights of any city I was in as I got older. Somehow, I always feel close to everyone when it's quiet like this and I'm looking over the city. Almost like I belong, that I'm not an immortal who's been around for over a hundred years. You know, every city looks about the same, but still it always seems different."
"I know what you mean," Angel said as he placed a hand on her right shoulder. He also used to look out over the lights in LA and could feel a connection he didn't usually feel. Catherine leaned back a little till she was resting up against him. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Her serenity was shattered though by the sound of Connor and Dawn funning onto the rooftop. Illyria followed close behind with a few weapons in hand.
"What's going on?" Catherine asked, but before she could receive an answer, several of Quinn's demons leaped over the sides of the building surrounding them. Catherine took her old sword from Illyria and stood poised, ready to fight. Illyria handed Angel the other one and Connor reached behind him puling out two guns. Dawn stood in the middle of the circle with a gun in her shaking hands. As Catherine surveyed the masses in front of her, Quinn arrived and the demons parted so that he may step forward. Catherine also noticed he had a hostage, this one very close to her.
"Sorry Cat. He got me coming out of the back of the club," CJ whimpered. His face was bloody and bruised. Quinn raised his free arm which held a gun and pointed it at Catherine.
"I heard a rumor that you found the Sword of Daylight. I was just coming to see if it was true," Quinn stated casually. Catherine remained in her fighting stance as she turned more to face him. Her face was flushed with anger at the thought of him hurting her friend.
"Why don't you come over here and find out."
"That's a pretty pathetic looking Sword for a warrior to the good guys. You'd think they wouldn't have made something so chincy."
"Well, I don't do bright and shiny very well anyways," Catherine said. She hoped to use Quinn's mistake of thinking she was currently holding the Sword to her advantage. "Why don't you let him go and call off your dogs and we'll have a go at it."
"No can do sweetheart. See, I accidentally left my Sword at home and only thought to bring this little thing," Quinn said waving the gun around. "I'll make you a deal. You come with me quietly and I'll let your little fag friend here go."
"No Cat. Don't do it," CJ hoarsely croaked out. Catherine winced at the sound of pain in his voice but held firm.
"How about I just kill you and all your little demon lackeys instead."
"Nah, don't like the idea much," Quinn responded, and then shot the gun straight into Catherine's thigh causing her to stumble and lower her stance. Angel quickly moved from his position and over to her side.
"Caty," he whispered worriedly.
"I'm fine," she answered through gritted teeth. She tried to resume her stance, shifting her weight to her left leg.
"Not really. See, that bullet was laced with poison only I have the cure for. Now, if you don't want to die and have a little chance to fight me off, you'll get you ass over here now," Quinn said as his voice filled with anger at the sight of Angle holding onto Catherine. Catherine looked over at Angel. He could tell from her look that she was going to go. His dark eyes silently pleaded with her not to. Dawn was desperately trying to stifle the sobs that were catching in her throat. Catherine placed a hand on his cheek gently and smiled warmly at him.
"I have to. Come rescue me," she said and limped slowly over to where Quinn was standing. Catherine kept her head high as she stood in front of her enemy, the man she once called her love. Quinn roughly threw CJ to the ground and grabbed Catherine. He stepped up onto the ledge of the roof and gave a final command to his minions. "Kill them." Catherine screamed at his words as Quinn jumped down from the roof landing neatly on the ground, his hands still gripping Catherine tightly.
The demons snarled and charged at the small circle of fighters. Angel, having shifted into game face, attacked with a fury he hadn't felt since fighting for Buffy. Connor stayed by Dawn shooting any demon that stepped into his range. Illyria reveled in the brawl and enjoyed the deaths of the demons at her hands. After battling for what seemed like hours, the few remaining demons retreated leaving the group to return to Catherine's apartment without her and think of a plan to get her back.
Inside Catherine's place, Dawn knelt before CJ as he lay on the couch and cleaned his wounds. Angel stood in front of her fireplace and looked at the portrait of her with her family. I'll get you back Caty, he thought. Turning he punched a hole into the wall, causing everyone in the room to jump.
"Cat is gonna kick your ass for damaging her wall," CJ joked trying to lighten the mood. Angel walked over to Catherine's weapons cabinet and pulled out the Sword of Daylight. He could feel the warmth from the power locked away in the weapon beneath his fingers.
"We're going to go find her and give her the Sword. Then she's going to kill that bastard and we're going to help," Angel stated.
"How? The license number CJ ran turned up a dead end and we have no idea where Quinn could even be hiding," Dawn said defeated. Tears began to fall from her eyes. Even though she had only known Catherine a short time, a quick bond had been formed. Catherine treated her like a woman and listened to what she had to say, while most everyone else always thought of her as "little Dawnie".
"You've still got that compass, right? Then all we need to do is follow the direction it points and we'll have Caty. I know this is soon and we don't know how many more demons Quinn has in his employ, but I'm not going to wait and give that asshole to much time alone with her. I'm leaving in the morning right before sunrise, so if you want to help, you're more than welcome to join."
"Of course we're coming with you. You don't even have to ask," Connor said.
Everyone offered their help, even CJ and began collecting weapons for the battle they were about to face. As everyone rested for the next day, Angel painfully looked out the window. For the first time in over a hundred years, he prayed for Catherine's safety. "I'm coming for you Caty," he whispered into the night.
Catherine sat chained to the wall. The skin on her wrists was torn from struggling to free herself from the manacles. Blood caked in her hair and some still trickled down her face. Her body was bruised and bleeding form the weapons used to beat and cut her open. Quinn smiled sadistically at her.
"Well. I think you've had enough for tonight. I want you rested for tomorrow, when I remind you how much you really belong to me. You know how I like it when you try to play hard to get."
Catherine tried to hold in her cries but tears flowed down her face, mixing in with the blood. Quinn knelt down and licked the tears from her cheeks, causing her to shudder and heave. As he stood, he kicked her in the face knocking her out for the night. Quinn walked languidly over to the mirror, wiping the dirt from his hands as image of the dark princess shimmered to view.
"Tomorrow night, my goddess, your sacrifice shall be completed and you will rule the mortals with your dark powers." The figure smiled and at this joyful news.