((SORRY LOVES. It's been a busy few weeks thanks to vacation and some stuff on my Buffy page. But here's a short update, more to come tonight, hopefully!))

Coming back to consciousness is like trying to fight my way above water in the middle of the sea during a storm. But eventually I force my eyes open, only to wish I hadn't. I am still tied up on a cold, hard floor. There is a soft drip of water, though I can't pinpoint the source. "Oh good. You're awake, Slayer." A voice nearby snarls at me. I snap my head in the direction of the speaker. Lorne sits not far from me. "She got you too?" My voice comes out as a croak. He nods. "I was coming out of Caritas when something knocked me out. I gotta tell you, kiddo, it wasn't pleasant." Lorne touches a place on the back of his head that is clearly tender. "It's Glory...er Glorificus. She's back." I sigh, leaning back against the wall. Lorne makes a whistling noise. "I've heard of her and how you fought her before. How did she come back?" I shrug. "I have a theory." He nods, waiting for me to continue. "I think the Senior Partners you told me about are behind it." "I could see that. But why? From what I have heard, she's not really much of a team player." Lorne leans back against the wall. He misses the small movement I make. "She's not. But Angel and the others took out the Circle of the Black Thorn, right? So the Senior Partners need a new move, something to bring down all of us. What better way than a Hell Goddess bent on returning to Hell or ruling Earth? Trust me, Mr. Green. She'll help them with their plans. Even if she's not doing it on purpose." Lorne rolls his eyes at my 'Mr. Green' comment, but doesn't say anything. I was surprised, when I came to, to feel that the demons and Glory, had left my small charm bracelet on my wrist. I grab hold of the small charm shaped like a knife. I pull it off, which is a bit awkward given the position of my hands. I say a mumbled phrase, and the knife becomes full-sized. "For starters, we need to get out of here. Then we can figure out where to go next." I cut the ropes binding me. "We're going to need to move fast." I move quickly and cut the ropes binding him as well. We stand up. "Let's start with getting out of here." Lorne nods and we head for the small cell door. The door is locked, but the hinge isn't very great. It doesn't take much effort for me to get it loose. Unfortunately, it creates a loud noise. Guards come running. "Oh nice. A fight. Sorry sweetcheeks. I'm not much good in a fight." Lorne whispers to me and I hold back a groan. Barely. "I got this." I add mentally: I just wish I had my scythe. The guards rush us but I quickly take care of them. We move on, down a long corridor. "That was impressive, Blondie." Glory appears in front of us. "I mean, really. Bravo." She applauds. "I didn't think you actually had it in you." I glare at her. "You have this constant tendency to underestimate me, Glory." I grin. "One of these days, it's going to kill you." Every hint of joy or amusement slides from her face. "Shut up. Just...SHUT UP!" She rushes towards me, but before she makes it very far down the hall, doors are thrown open. A crowd of people rush in. I realize it's the mini-Slayers and Illyria. I smile even wider. "Sorry, Buff. We tried to get here sooner." Vi says, as the others turn towards the fight. "We wouldn't have even found you if it hadn't been for Willow." I nod, vaguely. "Did you by any chance bring the-" "The Scythe? Yes ma'am." Vi grins as she hands it to me. I move forward and join the skirmish.