"Back by popular demand," Faith said as she smiled at the group staring at her. Willow however wasn't so calm, she teared up and hugged Faith like they'd been close friends separated by tragedy. "Miss me, Red?"

Willow let go. "Sorry. I just get it now. And I'm so sorry for how I treated you."

"It's all good. Five by five, right?"

"Right. What does that mean anyway?" Willow laced her arm through Faith's as she guided her away from the front door.

"It's a radio term. Means there's no static on the line. It's the best possible signal."

"Huh. You'd think I'd remember something like that." Willow blushed. "I studied radios before getting into computers."

"So where am I sleeping? And please tell me it's private."

"Sorry, we all sleep in one room here. The beds are pretty nice though. Through here," Willow said as she pointed.

Faith looked at the beds and saw that all of them were unmade. "So is there a free bed?"

"Oh. Um, no, that's Connor and Spike's bunk beds, Wes is over there and Cordelia just took that one. Mine's the last one on the right. I don't know where we'd put another bed. I mean the main room is huge but we use it for training more than anything else. A bed would be an obstacle."

"You and Wes have big beds. I can share with one of you, or you can share with each other. I forget, which team do you bat for these days?" Faith nudged Willow to let her know she was teasing.

"Team pink. But if that doesn't weird you out, you can share with me. I don't actually take up much room on that bed. But I will have to clear off the papers and laptops." Willow set words to action. "Wes said we were moving soon. We'll make sure you have your own bed then."

"Let me give you a hand." Faith picked up a pile of papers and set them on Willow's dresser. "I thought Wes was lying when he said you asked for me."

"He wasn't! I mean, I know Spike has a soul now and is trying to do the redemption thing. And Connor needs to kerb his violent outbursts. Wes is guilty of kidnapping, and he's been trying to make up for that. But I killed a couple people, well calling them people might be a stretch even if it is technically true, but then I tried to destroy the world. All from grief. I was traumatized, and you would know how that feels better than anyone. You were traumatized too. You know, when you went dark side for a while." Willow set her two laptops on top of the papers on her dresser, now within Faith's personal space. "And did I apologize? I was horrible to you when you needed someone the most. I'm so…"

"Sorry, got that. Don't sweat it. We're even since I punched you, held a knife to your throat, and threatened to kill you." Faith pursed her lips and twisted her body awkwardly. "I am glad you asked for me though."

Willow smiled in relief. "Me too."

Cordelia glared at Wesley. "What were you thinking bring miss homicidal lunatic here?"

"She's no worse than Angel. She's working toward redemption like the rest of us. How can she do that behind bars? It's a waste and you know it." Wesley loosened his tie then rolled up his sleeves as he sat at his desk. "Is this what Willow was researching earlier?"

"Yeah, and Fred was helping her out with the science and math. They think they might have a solution in a few days. I just hope it's soon enough."

"Fred was here?"

"Gunn brought her."

"It's a good thing we're moving. Too many people know how to find us. Not a smart move when your friends will be enemies." Wesley picked up the phone. "Can you give me some privacy?"

"Sure." Cordelia crinkled her brow and left the room. What was he up to?

"Thank you for calling, Xander." Giles hung up the phone.

"What did Xander need?" Dawn asked as she popped a french fry in her mouth and turned the page of another book on Wolfram and Hart.

"The police called. Faith was let out of prison today. A technicality. They were calling Buffy to warn her since the last time Faith was free, she went after her." Giles took his glasses off and pressed his eyes with his forefinger and thumb before putting them back on.

Dawn nearly choked on her food. "Oh. Please tell me she's with Wesley. That she's still trying to get better and her getting out won't derail her search for a better self."

"Cordelia gave me this card with Wesley's number on it. I'm hoping it's still working." The phone rang before he could make a call though. "Hello?"

"Mr. Giles, I'm glad you're still awake. I thought I'd apprise you of the new roll call here." Wesley's voice sounded tired.

"I take it Faith is among your numbers now. As is Cordelia." Giles sighed when Wesley confirmed this. "Are you working with Cordelia?"

"We are. Not without thought mind you, but if we can trap the entirety of Wolfram and Hart in one dimensional universe then we must take that opportunity. It's unfortunate that this is the one that will suffer for it, but what else are we to do? Let all but one universe in one dimension suffer unending pain and suffering at the hands of that evil?"

"Stop trying to convert me. It won't happen. I've sworn to protect this sorry world and I plan on doing just that. If you were wise you'd see the error in judgement you're making and stop this madness. Cordelia can't succeed on her own. Our only hope at surviving is to stop her now."

Dawn watched Giles' face get red as his temper flared. While he'd been shouting Fred and Gunn returned catching enough of the conversation to get the gist. Fred whispered to Gunn, "Maybe we shouldn't say anything yet?"

"Agreed." Gunn trotted down the few stairs into the lobby as Giles slammed the phone down.

"Bloody pillock!"

"Giles?" Dawn asked. "What should I be researching? Wolfram and Hart or how to stop Cordelia?"

"The two are not mutually exclusive. If she wants to trap Wolfram and Hart, we can help with that, but it won't be this dimension or universe that pays the price. There's an innumerable amount of hells. We'll trap them all in one of those." Giles sighed and walked into the office, slamming the door behind him.

Buffy came up from the basement and Angel came down the stairs. "What was all that about?"

"Wesley recruited Faith and they're working for Cordelia." Dawn closed her book and moved to sit behind the computer. Willow had taught her a good bit about them so she was going to try to track Wesley down. She needed to hear it from them. She needed to hear why they felt there were no other options.

"I have to get to her. She's only just started her recovery. This would destroy her." Angel charged out the door with Buffy on his heels.

"You don't even know where they are. You've thought you'd figured it out a few times but were never right. Where are you going to go?"

"I don't care if I have to scour the entire city. I refuse to let Faith slip down that dark path again." Angel looked both way before deciding on left.

Buffy continued to follow. With him in this state, she wanted to stay close so she could pull him back inside when the sun came up.

What they didn't know was that Anya was following them, using a few tricks to keep them away from Wesley and his crew. No wishes of course, but a few other spells that she could still do.

Xander knew little about what was going on in LA, but he knew he wasn't needed in Sunnydale and things in the big city were more dire. So he packed a bag and got in his car.