Cordelia walked through the lobby, luggage slung over her shoulder. She ignored the protests of the others as she walked out the door. The person to follow was unsurprising. Oh, how she missed not knowing. "Gunn, there's nothing you can say."
"Tough because I'm going to say it. What happened to you? How could you want to destroy the world you suffered for so much?"
She turned to look at the desperation and confusion on his face. He looked like he needed her to explain more than he needed anything. She set her luggage and hugged him.
As soon as her lips touched his cheek, images of innocents in world after world, universe after universe, dimension after dimension flashed across his vision. They were all suffering at the hands of Wolfram and Hart. So much death and destruction of not just the physical but the spirits too. She let go and his sight cleared. "That's why."
"You only had one shot to share that, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Why waste it on me?"
"Because you aren't the muscle of the group, you're the heart. And you needed an explanation more than any of the others. I'll understand whatever you do. I didn't show you to try to convince you. I showed you because you're the purist soul I know." She slung her luggage over her shoulder again. "I couldn't trouble you for a ride though, could I?"
"Yeah sure." They got in his truck and pulled into traffic.
The suit and shave felt unnatural on Wesley now. Gone were the days of a routine morning shave and pale grey suits. This suit was tailored but black jacket, slacks, shirt, and vest. The tie was a deep plum Willow picked out for him. She felt the need to hover over him ever since he told her about the perpetuity clause he would have to sign.
With an overly bright watery smile, Willow dusted off Wesley's shoulders. "Imaginary dandruff."
"Willow."
"Don't do it."
"We talked about this."
"I know but I changed my mind again. I know all the reasons we need an inside man that's actually on our side. But don't do it." Her tears flowed unchecked. "You saved my life. Don't make me watch you sell your soul then betray the owners of it. I can't think about you suffering."
"We're all going to suffer. And there's not going to be an end to that suffering. This isn't a sacrifice. It's the smart play. Don't forget you put your resume in with Wolfram and Hart yesterday and so did Connor and Spike. We agreed to see this through." He rubbed her shoulders as she nodded.
"You don't want to be late on your first day."
"No, I don't." He kissed her forehead and left the sleeping quarters. As he walked through the main room, he stopped to have a word with Spike. "Keep close to her. The handkerchiefs are in the top drawer of my dresser."
"Will do."
Connor watched Wesley pull out of the garage door. "I should probably stick close to Willow too."
"Uncle Connor, you have the bedside manner of a pit viper. Leave Willow to me. At least I know how to console someone."
Frowning Connor went to the library and looked up what a pit viper was and then what a bedside manner was. "I'm nicer than a snake."
Lilah greeted Wesley in the lobby. "I got a call from Human Resources. Seems we've gotten a few applications from friends of yours. I wanted to ask you about them."
He fell into step with her. "You're talking about William the Bloody, Willow Rosenberg, and Connor. I told them to apply. They've been freeloading off me long enough. Spike's got a bloodlust that's tempered by good tactical skills. He's got a flare our employers would appreciate. Willow's the most powerful witch in the world, and Connor's superpowers need to be kept occupied. I thought you could give him something on which to focus."
"Spike has a soul, Willow has a long history of fighting evil, and Connor was raised by a man so anti-demon he raised him in hell rather than see Angel raise him. These are blips the Senior Partners don't like to see on a resume." When the elevator doors opened Lilah glared at the other employees waiting, so that her and Wesley had the car to themselves.
"Spike's still killing humans, Willow flayed a man alive then tried to end the world, and Connor's got a cruel streak to rival anyone here."
They got off the elevator, and they entered her office. "I could keep Willow on retainer and there's a team leader position open in tactical as of last night no current employee is qualified for; Spike would be a good candidate. And Connor can be part of Internal Clean-up."
"Won't Spike's vampirism hinder his ability to lead a tactical unit?"
"I can put in an order for a Gem of Amara, consider it a personal favor. Now, I need an analysis of the projects on your desk complete with estimates on overhead and manpower. But first," she slipped a document off her desk, "sign this contract."
"Yes, ma'am."
Gunn sat in the courtyard weighing everything he knew about Cordelia, the apocalypse she dropped in their laps, and the visions he saw. What he was looking for was a solution to all the problems and he hadn't thought of anything yet. What they needed was a place to contain Wolfram and Hart that didn't have innocent people in it.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Fred asked, sitting on the edge of the fountain.
"Can we find a way to evacuate all the innocent people to another universe?"
"We can look, but the only way would be mystical. We- There are other people better suited to that kind of search."
"I know where Wes is staying. I dropped Cordelia there a few hours ago. We need this done right, and I don't care what we have to say to get him to help us, we're getting him to help us." Gunn stood up and took Fred's hand.
She smiled brightly. "Then let's get on it."
Dawn jumped when Anya appeared in her room. "Give me a heart-attack! Giles has been polishing a hole in his glasses looking for you."
"We need to leave." Anya picked up Dawn's suitcase and started packing it. "Now."
"Anya? What is it?" Dawn studied what she could see of Anya's face.
"Among other things the world is about to end. I know a guy who can get us to another dimension, but we should act fast."
Dawn threw her arms around Anya's neck. "I love you. But I can't go. I have to fight that apocalypse."
"Don't be stupid. Let's go."
"I'm sorry, Anya, but I can't go." Dawn stepped back.
"I'm not leaving you here. You're the only one that took my side."
"Don't make this harder. I have to stay."
Anya flopped on the bed. "Well, I guess I'm staying too even though I know I'll regret it."
Ankles crossed on his desk, Angel sipped some bourbon. "Mental note: buy better booze while I can."