"No no, don't bother to get up, really." The amazingly annoying and all-too familiar chuckle of a seriously corrupted vampire flooded her mind now. "Why is it, now, that you just keep popping in and intruding on all the good parts?"

Faith lay helplessly on the ground, and it seemed she was in an alleyway of some sort. Fatigued and bruised, the dark slayer was leaning against a wall after she'd been tossed behind a dumpster by the brute. She said nothing, but if looks could kill, the undead creature would have keeled over and dusted right then and there.

"So glad I finally got through to you," he picked up a lead pipe and and swung it in a menacing circle, allowing a smirk to cross his face. "Gosh, where have I seen this before? Oh yeah, this was the worst part of my Hell... right before you and the ridiculous gang of losers crammed an unwanted dose of humanity right here," the vampire gripped his so-called 'heart.' "Let's pick up where we left off... and bad news for you... Ratboy isn't here to rescue you."

"Angelus," Faith spat with pure hatred. "I should've known." Struggling to her feet, she nearly fell back onto her knees all over again.

"Aww, come on Faithy, you don't think you get to run off in the middle of our party, we were getting along so well."

"Couldn't ya just let sleeping dogs lie?" Faith shook her head, trying not to show any signs of weakness. "Really pissin' me off now- I played my part."

"Well apparently, you didn't play it well enough."

Look at her sleeping so peacefully. I bet she doesn't even remember what she did to me and mom... and Buffy. I bet she doesn't even care. I can't believe that my sister trusts her sleeping in our house. I mean, she is a convicted murderer! Maybe the Initiative removed a few of her brain cells while they took out Spike's chip. Spike... well at least he would be there to protect me. It's so strange... Giles and Buffy lately- over Spike. I wish I could figure out what happened, looks intense. I know he's not a killer... not like Faith. What if she's dreaming about murder?

"So... what do you say? You going to put up a little struggle? Maybe plea for your life? I haven't had one of those for ages!" The all too eager Angelus continued advancing on her with the pipe in hand and licking his lips provokingly.

"I didn't give up... I had one shot to save Angel and now... I've got a life to live."

"Do you now? Really? Wow. Touching, yet... I DON'T CARE." Angelus laughed with his uncaring attitude. "You really shoulda just given up then, Faithy. Now you're going to have to suffer all over again. You think you can redeem yourself after what you've done to everyone? It doesn't work that way, and if that stupid loser Angel was intelligent, he'd have figured that out by now. You never stop paying, so you may as well sap everyone dry with no remorse and sieze the day." His hand closed around her neck now, causing her to wince in pain as the fresh wound on her neck where he'd bitten her reopened up.

Okay... that is so not normal. Dawn looked around nervously, standing in the doorway still and watching Faith. All of a sudden the woman had yelped and it looked like she was being choked. Stranger thing was, however, that the side of her neck was beginning to bleed- marks only a vampire could have made. What if... what if something invisible is attacking her? But-but that would be okay, right? Then it could kill her off and we wouldn't have to sleep uneasy. No... letting her die like this, Buffy wouldn't want that.

"Buffy! Spike- get in here- hurry up!" The young teenager screamed at the top of her lungs. "Hurrryyyyy!" She screamed yet again, backing away slowly as if this were her fault or something. She really wanted nothing to do with whatever was attacking Faith, especially if it was invisible.

"I thought you got the memo," Faith joked, choking the entire time. "I'm a good guy now... killin' people- not my thing." Struggling in his grip, she tried to pull away, but curse it all- she'd been thrown in an awkward position and already weakened. The odds were against her and it just wasn't fair.

Angelus was nearly bowling over at laughter now. "You really think that? Gosh, you're even worse off than I thought. Absolutely nobody can save you now," he smirked, realigning the pipe in his hands and then striking it forcefully against the side of her head. Watching her whimper while her eyes rolled upward and she fell to her knees, the vampire relished the moment. Soon she'd give in.

"She's convulsing!" Buffy screamed, trying hard to keep Faith in check now. Holding her down by her feet, Spike was keeping her arms pinned as she flailed about. Thrashing and moaning, Buffy sent a serious gaze over to Dawn, "Call 911!"

The teenager nodded and ran out immediately while Buffy and Spike continued holding her. "Faith- Faith calm down now!"

"Bloody hell," Spike growled, straining harder now since the convulsions got a bit more violent.

"What's happening, Buffy? I hear Dawnie yelling and-" Willow stopped short, staring transfixed at her best friend and Spike keeping Faith pinned to the bed desperately.

"Angel!" Faith cried out clearly, whimpering at being restrained. It was hard to distinguish if she was pleaing for her life, or begging for assistance. Either way, Buffy knew something big went down in LA- bigger than Faith had let on. The only thing she could think of right now was keeping Faith alive.

Buffy shot Spike a serious glance, and it was clear through her eyes what she was going to say next. Without turning her head, she gave a command to the newly arrived red-head, "Willow, get Angel on the phone- NOW!"

Notes: Sorry it took a few days to post this chapter... work gets in the way. Anyway, I appreciate all the readers, and if you have a few seconds... reviews are happy too! I know this chapter probably isn't as good as expected but it should get better... I hope. Your input is important! Thanks!
- Javy