The shower was hot and relaxing. As promised, Veronica was making great use of it. Xander offered to burn her clothes when he gave her some of Willow's to wear, but changed his mind when he realized he would have to touch them. After she finished, she put on the borrowed clothes and headed back into Willow's room. There she found Xander sitting next to his sick best friend as he held her hand.

" ... and then I told her she smelled. Which she did. So I let her use your shower. And gave her some of your clothes. I hope you don't mind, the girl's hot enough to let her be naked, but I figured wearing an outfit that looked like a bag of skittles threw up was torment enough. Also? Slayer-like death glares. Not fun, yet oddly alluring and holy god you're standing right here!" Xander exclaimed when he noticed a very amused Veronica.

"Wow. I'm hot enough to be naked huh? Well why don't I just take of these here skittle-clothes and be done with it?" She made like she was about to do just that, then stopped. "Sorry. Wearing the rainbow is just too much like tasting it."

Xander recovered some from his supreme embarrassment. "Yeah, well. If you recall, I said that outfit looked, not like a bag of skittles, but the tossed cookies of said bag of skittles. So, unless you like wearing skittle-vomit," His face turned lecherous, "get nekkid." He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Veronica gave him a supremely unamused look. One that lasted all of ten seconds before she broke out laughing. "Tempting, but I think I'll pass." She sobered up when she saw how pale and sickly Willow looked. "How's she doing?"

"Not so good." Xander told her. "Her skin's still clammy, and she's running a fever." He stared down at Willow worriedly. "But Gunn has some really good contacts. I'm pretty sure I can get her a cure."

"She's not getting, y'know, worse?" Veronica asked awkwardly. Her question had more to do with her curiosity of the curse's side-effects, than concern. Not that she wasn't concerned, because she was. It's just that she was really, really curious too.

Xander shook his head. "No. This isn't a fatal curse, thank God. It's just something to keep her out of the way. I think it was done to her so that she wouldn't get involved."

"Involved with what?"

He looked Veronica like he was surprised by the question. "Your case." He told her matter-of-fact-ly.

"What?" That didn't make sense. "Why would anyone put the whammy on Willow because of me?"

"Umm, maybe it's because she's a witch?" Xander said. "Didn't you know?" He asked off of Veronica's astonished expression.

"No. That's news." She told him a little dazedly. She sat down on a chair. Her eyes darted to the still form on the bed. "Far out. A witch." A thought occurred to her. "Hey! Couldn't she do some kind of dowsing thing and find my dad?"

"Yeah, if she were conscious." Xander told her glumly. "Suspects number one are pretty much the guys who took your father. We figure it's because they didn't want Willow to do her thing."

"Who figured?"

Xander shrugged. "Us. Me, Angel, Spike, and Gunn. Basically everybody that's not you, Willow and Wallace. We were going to have a powwow to bring you up to speed, just not 'til later."

Something was bothering Veronica. "Did you two let anybody know that you were coming?" Xander shook his head. "Then how did they know to poison Willow?

He opened his mouth to respond. "I ... That's ... That's a really good question." He pulled out his cellphone and dialed but got no answer. After a few minutes he tried another number. "Hello. Can you put me through to Charles Boyleston's room please? He checked out? When? Ok. Thanks." Xander hung up and started to say something to Veronica, but she was busy with her own cellphone.

"Hey Wallace? No I'm not over that. I ..." she stopped when she heard a car blat it's horn in the background. "Where are you? WHAT! You're on your way here? Oh my God. What about your arm?" Veronica went silent as Wallace explained why he left the hospital. "Oh god. You really think that might happen? Ok. I'll see you soon. Be careful Plucky." She hung up and stared down at her phone.

"So," Xander started, "on their way over are they?" Veronica didn't respond. "Earth to Mars." He knocked on her forehead.

Veronica gave him a startled look. "My dad says that to me all the time." She told him sadly.

Xander felt like an ass. "Hey, I'm sorry." He chuckled a bit. "Guess I'm not as original as I thought, huh?"

She chuckled with him. "It's Ok, my dad also says that great minds think alike."

Xander grinned and changed the subject before he ended up putting his other foot in his mouth. "Why did you come over anyway? You said you had some questions?"

Veronica gathered her thoughts. "Um, yeah. First though, how likely is it Gunn and Wallace would be attacked at the hospital?"

"Not much now that they aren't there." Xander foolishly replied. He was rewarded with a terrifying glare. "Heh. Um. It all really depends on (Could you not stare at me like that?) It all depends on who the enemy thinks is a threat. Willow was taken down because she's powerful. Angel and Spike are too clever for a subtle attack, and too strong for a direct one. I'm not really all that mighty my own self, and with Will out of it, there's no way in hell I'm leaving her. If we're dealing with the kidnapers, you and Wallace are off the 'to attack' list. That just leaves Gunn. They could target him, but he's already hurt so there's not really any point." Xander left out the part where demons might actually think that's the best part.

"And if we're not dealing with kidnappers?" Veronica wanted to know.

"Then you and Wallace are no threat, and therefore, not worth the effort." (LIE!) Veronica was silent as she processed the information given. "What else did you wanna ask?"

"Earlier, you said Wesley was Buffy's watcher, right?" Xander nodded. "Ok. But what the hell does that mean? No one has explained anything to me other than telling me I was a potential champion. I was hoping you would do the honors?" She looked at him a little desperately. "I just want to know what we've gotten ourselves into."

Seemed only right to him. Xander took a deep breath and began. "For me, it all started when this really hot blonde girl moved to Sunnydale..."

-

The woman was groggy and the room was dark. She was sitting in a chair. She tugged at her wrists, but they were tightly bound. Her ankles were tied too. Her waist, her neck, all of it tied up. She was in a severe lockdown. A moan of pain escaped her lips and she heard the sound of footsteps coming close.

"Well, hello there." A british accent spoke to her. It took her a minute, but she soon realized that the darkness wasn't because the lights were out. Her head was covered in a bag!

"Let me go!" she shrieked and struggled against her bonds as panic began to set in.

The british voice laughed. "Yeah, I'll get right on it."

Smug bastard! She'd show him. She began to chant under her breath. When she was finished, she waited for the sounds of pain and fear, but nothing happened.

Another voice, softer, more intense, spoke. "Sorry. Your ability to do magic won't work here." The voice moved closer. His next words scared her more than anything she's ever heard in her life. "It's just us. And you. And so much time to kill."

The british voice laughed again.

Morgan Walker wished she could pray.

-

The woman was groggy and the room was dark. She was leaning against something warm. Someone gently caressed her face. Her arms felt heavy, and her head was pounding. A moan of pain escaped her lips and she heard a soft voice answer.

"Alicia..."

She realized the darkness wasn't because the lights were out, but because her eyes were covered!

"Keith?" she asked of the voice. "What's on my face." She reached up to touch whatever it was, but Keith stopped her.

"They hit you pretty hard and it hurt your eyes. You won't be able to see for a little while." He tried to sound reassuring. "It won't be for long."

That's right, They hit her because she wouldn't let them take Darrel. A supreme feeling of grief and loss assaulted her. "They took him Keith. They took my baby." Alicia found that eyes that couldn't see, could still cry.

"It's all right Alicia. They brought him back." Keith looked at Darrell's still form and vacant expression. He wanted to lie to her, but the pain in her voice broke his heart. "He's right here."

Alicia began to struggle again. "He's here? Darrel? Darrel, baby! Momma's here!"

Keith wouldn't let go. "He's asleep Alicia. It's fine." He knew she wouldn't believe him. He could never lie to her. Successfully anyway. Not since they dated.

She stilled in his arms again. "Oh god. What's wrong? Keith? Tell me what's wrong!" she struggled harder against him. Keith's eyes began to tear up, and he just held her close against her will.

"Everything is fine Alicia. Don't worry." Why did he say anything? Why couldn't he have been stronger?

"No! Let me go! Darrel! Darrel!" And Alicia lost all control. She swung her arms wildly as she wept uncontrollably. She tried to get to her son, but Keith wouldn't let her. She couldn't see her son like that. It's why he covered her eyes, letting her think she was blind. It's why he wouldn't let her go. It's why he let her hit him as she struggled. He loved her once, and she just couldn't see her child like this.

-

Wallace watched Gunn with interest as they walked from the hospital to the Hyperion. Something wasn't right.

"When me and Veronica got attacked, you were hurt bad. Worse than me. So how come you're all better now?"

Gunn answered without stopping. "I have an enhanced healing ability." He looked over his shoulder. "It's a secret, so don't go telling people."

"If it's a secret, why tell me?"

Gunn stopped walking. "Are you going to tell anyone?" he asked.

"Should I?" Wallace wondered.

"What do you think?" Gunn asked.

Wallace carefully considered the man before him. "I think it's none of my business."

Gunn smiled. "And that's why I told you." He continued walking.

Wallace jogged after him. "Hey! Care to clarify?"

Gunn stopped again. "It means I trust you Wallace."

He looked at the older man closely. "But you don't even know me."

Gunn smiled. "I know you're the type of kid who'd do anything for his friends." He started walking again. This time at a slower pace. "I saw how you were when Veronica's dad got kidnapped. You were besides yourself trying to get out there and do something."

Wallace raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I'd do the same for you?"

Gunn shrugged. "I just do." He grinned knowingly and patted Wallace's good shoulder. "C'mon. We don't want to be out when it gets dark."

-

"What the hell do you mean they're vampires?!" Veronica yelled. Xander winced at the unhappy volume. "Aren't vampires evil?"

"Well yeah. They're as evil as they come. Just not these two. Currently." Xander helpfully explained.

"Currently? Currently? What, do they have off days?" Veronica adopted a deeper voice. "On Tuesdays and Wednesdays let's be evil Spike. Why jolly good idea Angel. I'm all for it.' Is that what you mean by currently?" She was getting dangerously close to hysterical and Xander really couldn't blame her. After all, he pretty much agreed with her when he was her age.

"No, and if you'll calm down I'll explain it to you." He told her all about Angel's gypsy curse. About Spike's rocky road to redemption. He also told her about the time they went to Rome because everybody should know that.

When he was finished, Veronica was speechless. For once. "Holy crap."

Xander nodded. "Pretty much."

"And they're not dangerous?"

The watcher looked at her with his one eye. A telling expression on his face. "Not to us."

-

SMACK! The hit was swift and brutal. The velvet bag on Morgan's head did nothing to deaden the impact. Nor did it for any of the previous ones. If Angel had any moral qualms about watching Spike work his charms for the second time in as many days, he didn't show it.

"Just tell why you had the girl's father kidnapped, and we'll stop." Angel told her.

"What do you mean 'we'? I've been doing all the work." Spike asked indignantly.

Angel smirked back at him. "C'mon Spike. You've been having fun."

"Oh, obviously. But that's not the point! You always took credit for any decent bit of torture I did!"

"I did not! You never did anything worth taking credit for!" Angel shot back.

Spike was taken aback. "Oh really? What about that time I tortured you for the Gem of Amara?"

Angel rolled his eyes at the younger vampire's stupidity. "If I remember correctly, and I do, one of your MINIONS did the torturing."

"Oi! I helped! You were ..." Spike's affronted response was interrupted by a shriek.

"Oh god, I've been kidnapped by idiots! I told you. I don't know what happened to that stupid bitch's damn father!"

Spike punched her in the gut. "I don't believe you." He told her in a singsong voice.

Angel winced in sympathy. "Ooh. I'd hate to throw up in that." He said, referring to the velvet bag.

Morgan did, in fact, swallow back vomit. "Ugh. Please, I don't know anything." She said piteously.

Angel went up to her, careful not to step in any blood or urine, and stroked her cheek through the bag. She shivered violently as she tried to shy away from his touch.

"But you do know something." He said softly. "You know why you sent vampires after my friend. You know why they beat him, almost to death, and I want you to tell me." He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, using his most intimate voice. "Or I'll cut you slowly. You'll bleed out and die." He chuckled affectionately. "I know for a fact that the Senior Partners have a very special hell for those who fail them."

He pulled back. An uncomfortable look on his face. This felt too much like fun. He didn't want it to get this far. The worst part was the impressed look Spike gave him.

"If my powers worked, this would be a very different conversation." Morgan spat hatefully. After a few moments she began talking. "Your friend knows the location of one of our missing associates."

"Which one?" Spike asked. Now they're getting someplace.

Morgan sighed defeatedly. "Dr. Oliver Wilson. He specializes in advanced human enhancements. He went awol after completing his training. The Senior Partners has a vested interest in Wilson and wanted him found."

Angel thought hard, but he didn't recognize that name. "I knew all the names of the people who ran out during my time there, but I don't know who that is."

"That's because he wasn't from your time. He worked with Lilah Morgan. She hired him to work on some special project. I don't know much about it. The files didn't make sense. There was this big gaping hole in it. Like it was erased, but you wouldn't know anything about that, would you Angel?"

'Conner.' He thought with a start. 'He was hired to work on Conner.'

Spike, meanwhile, was getting impatient. "Why the hell would Gunn know Doctor Evil's location?"

"Why do you think?" Morgan asked snidely.

Spike looked sharply at Angel. He stared back. What was she implying?

The younger vampire turned back to his victim. "He was getting another brain enhancement?"

"No. Dr. Sparrow handled all of our brain work. Wilson was supposed to take care of the body."

Spike leaned back and crossed his arms as he considered the information he's just received. "Sparrow. Why do I know that name?"

Angel told him. "He was the one that made all the clones of us. The one you tortured after Fred ..." He trailed off, not wanting to talk about that difficult time.

"Right." Spike nodded his head in understanding. "I do remember him." He snorted. "It seems to me like he had a handle on the bodywork just fine, making all of those clones. Regular George Lucas, he was."

Morgan sighed. "That's because he had to be. We didn't want to be put into another position like the one Wilson left us in. We made it mandatory for all doctors to learn something about the other doctors professions."

"So Charlie was looking to get some magic steroids?" Spike asked.

Angel shook his head. "He wouldn't have needed a Wolfram and Hart doctor for that. He wanted physical enhancements."

Spike didn't believe it. "No way! He's smarter than that."

"Remember what he said after you killed your clone?" He reminded.

A disappointed look came across Spike's face. "I do. He told me there was now way he should've been taken down so quickly. He said he was enhanced." Spike shook his head in disgust. "I thought he just meant his brain." The vampire unfolded his arms and punched the wall. Leaving cracks in the brick. "That stupid moron! I'd think after Fred, he'd be done with shit like that!"

Angel clasped the other vampire's shoulder. "Calm down. We should hear Gunn's side before we make any judgments." He gazed sorrowfully at the beaten and bound form of his captive. Then buried the part of him that said what he was about to do was wrong. "I know this has been difficult for you. Being tortured and threatened is probably something you never thought would happen again. Especially after being promoted to your new station." Angel took Morgan's hand in his own. "I only have ten more questions and then this'll be over." He grabbed her pinky and pulled it back, just short of breaking it. "What can you tell me about Wolfram and Hart's connections to the underworld drug cartels?"

Morgan shook her head desperately. "I don't know!"

Angel closed his eyes sadly and ignored the screaming as he pulled her finger the rest of the way back.

-

In a dark and shadowy room, the demons gathered. They sat at a table, the biggest one at the head. They all gazed excitedly at a jar. The jar contained an ethereal mist, much like glowing fog. It was placed atop a strange device that had tubes stemming from the base. Each tube was placed before a demon. The biggest one puffed up it's chest and began to speak.

"We did it. All of us. Soon we will have an item unlike anything we've seen before." The demon laughed. "And the best part is how unbelievably obvious it was. Anybody could have created it! But did they?"

"No!" The demons cried as one

"That's right! They didn't. Do you know why? Because they weren't smart enough! They weren't clever enough! Dedicated enough! Evil enough to have seen the obvious! But WE were! We did the work! We made the effort, and soon, it will pay off!" The demons roared with pride. "Now, let us take this opportunity to enjoy a little bit of the fruits of our labor." It gestured magnanimously to the jar and the demon smiled. Showing it's many teeth. The demons cheered madly in approval.

They each picked a tube and placed it in their mouths. The biggest demon pushed a button on the device and the fog was ripped apart by the tubes.

Except the biggest one's. His tube did nothing.

He watched as his fellow's faces changed from an excited anticipation, to surprise, then horror, and finally pain. One by one the demons died. The stronger ones died slower. One even tried to attack the biggest, dying before it could even raise it's massive arms.

The last one smiled. Satisfied at a job well done. A door opened behind it, and a figure stepped out. Their face was covered in the shadow that dominated the room. The figure held a jar. A jar containing an ethereal mist that glowed brightly in the dark.

"Master! Are you pleased?" The last demon asked humbly.

The figure held the jar up to her face, the glow sending it into a sharp relief. Lianne Mars smiled brightly at her minion.

"Very."