Buffy was back in the cemetery late the next night. She sighed as she searched. It was getting repetitious. She never found any sign of Angelus and very few demons were out. It's like they were all hiding from something. When she did come across a new vampire, fresh out of the grave, she was quick to grab him up and question him. He didn't know anything about Angelus. He claimed the last thing he remembered was "some babe" at the bronze leading him out back. She dusted him with a sigh.

Maybe Spike had found something. She headed to Giles's place. She didn't make it out of the gates before she spotted Spike leaning against the wall.

"Spike, what are you doing here?"

"Guy can't have a smoke in his own cemetery? It's a free country ya know."

"Dead people don't have rights."

"I was looking for you. Got some information on that newly fanged poof of yours."

That was easy. "How?"

"Some new born at Willy's. He was talkin' all big about how he's Angelus's new head crony. Clearly didn't understand how Angelus works. Thought he was all high now. Anyway, he says captain forehead has plans to be at the bronze tomorrow night. He didn't know why."

"The bronze?"

"Tomorrow night."

"Good. So we'll be ready."

"With our stakes nicely sharpened," Spike added with a small nod.

She left Spike behind feeling a bit confused. Too easy.

Giles spent the day working on his trap. He'd mixed white paint with holy water and coated all four walls and the door. He removed all the wiring to make certain the garage door couldn't be opened. He heated an iron cross and pressed it against the door knob, marking it. Spike wouldn't be able to get out. At least not before Giles could stop him. A single chair now sat in the center of the room. He would keep the chains under the table that held the knives, stakes, crosses, and holy water. At his next trip to his private dungeon he would put everything into place. When the time was right he would lead Spike here and trap him. Angelus would come to his aid. Giles wouldn't just kill him, but take him apart. Maybe if he was feeling up to it, he'd take care of Spike after. Or maybe he'd just leave the miserable vampire to rot.

"Did she buy it?" Angelus asked.

"She seemed a bit confused, but she'll be there," Spike told him as he sat on the end of the older vampire's amusingly extravagant new bed.

"Perfect. I need to be able to go out without worrying about her following me."

"What are you planning?" Spike asked curiously.

"You'll see. I don't want to get your hopes up," Angelus said casually brushing dust off his shirt.

"She expects me to be there with her. Hope that doesn't ruin your plan," Spike said though he clearly didn't care if it was a problem or not.

"Even better. You can watch her, make sure she sticks around. I don't know how much time I'm going to need, but I'll make it quick."

"You should get yourself some wheels. It's not likely she'd notice you then."

"Well that's great advice for next time. For now, I'm starving. I'm thinking we eat out tonight. What do you think?"

"Are you asking me on a date Angelus?"

Angelus smirked. "A date with my boy? What could be better?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "You know I can't bite anyone," Spike said a bit bitterly as they stepped outside.

"I'm working to change that. For now, you can watch. I like an audience."

Riley met Buffy at her house to drive her to the bronze. She wanted him to be there in case something went wrong, but she knew if she told him what she was up to he would call in the troops. She wanted Angelus dusted, not strapped to a table to be used as a science experiment. So she played it out like it was any old date. Spike was supposed to meet her there. She'd also have to keep him away from Riley. If he found out that Spike was not only a vampire but one who had escaped from the Initiative, she would have some serious explaining to do.

"Thanks for picking me up," She said.

"No problem. I didn't think it seemed right to walk all the way there and then spend the night dancing."

"Yeah, no sense in tiring yourself out before the fun has begun," Buffy replied thinking of the "fun" this night would have in store.

"Well not that you'd get tired. Being the slayer and all. God, I'll never get over that." He looked amazed. "I can't imagine how difficult that must be. Growing up with some divine purpose."

"It's rough, but it has it's perks."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean what good would it be if I was a super freak without super healing powers."

"Super healing? You heal inhumanly fast?" Riley asked excited.

"Yeah, like a great big freak of nature," she sounded a bit bitter.

"Buffy, you're not a freak of nature."

"I know. I just... It's hard. Especially when you can't share the secret with anyone because it's just that, a big secret. Then to top it off you're alone in it and no one else can ever understand how hard it is."

"Well, I might not be a slayer, but you can trust me. Even if you just want to rant about the difficulties of being "the one and only"."

"Thanks," she said with a small smile.

"No problem."

"I mean it. Thank you." She looked him in the eye as she spoke.

He nodded. "You're welcome."

They reached the Bronze faster than Buffy thought possible. Riley laughed when she commented on it. They walked in arm-in-arm. They place was packed but not yet overflowing. One of the more popular all girl punk bands was rocking the stage and the crowd was loving it.

Buffy and Riley grabbed a table. Riley went to get them drinks while Buffy tried to look comfortable in her seat. She scanned the room for possible vampires and found none. Except for one guy with an awful hair cut who may have been unaware of the decade when he had it done. She felt someone approach her from behind and she stiffened preparing to turn and attack.

"All by your lonesome slayer?" Spike asked.

"Actually, no. Riley's here."

"You brought soldier boy to meet your ex? You sure know how to plan a date."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "He's just here for back-up."

"I thought I was back-up." Spike looked offended.

"He's back-up back-up. I don't want him getting involved unless we run out of options."

Spike nodded. "Well, I haven't seen him yet, but I'll go find me a nice place to lurk until he turns up." Spike left Buffy alone to find a place where he could keep an eye on her.

Angelus had taken Spike's advice and gotten himself a car. He'd paid for it under a fake name to keep it from drawing attention. He wasn't crazy about driving around in a used car, but it was as unlike him as it could possibly be. Buffy wouldn't give it a second glance.

Outside of Sunnydale was an underground facility. It was a place where people who were turned down for various operations could go to get surgeries done. Of course such things are deeply illegal so the place was kept quiet. Angelus had found out about it while he was asking around Willy's. At first, all of the demons in the place thought he was joking when they asked where a demon could go to get brain surgery, but after several well placed threats a lesser demon with gray skin and horns stepped forward. He gave him directions to the place and scampered off.

Angelus was on his way there. He just needed Spike to keep Buffy distracted while he was out. The place was in the middle of town in the basement of an old law firm that hadn't made it in Sunnydale. The sign said Roberts & Jacoby but according to the demon Angelus spoke to, the place was run by a guy named Jayce.

Jayce had an unexplainable ability to heal people. He'd done some work on demons and vampires as well.

Angelus went inside and took the stairs down. The hallway was empty but there was a light coming from the doorway on the left. Angelus stepped inside and found his way barred by a large man with a big gun.

"What's your business here?" He asked in a deep voice.

"I'm here to see Jayce," Angelus told him.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Don't I need a consultation before I get stitched up?"

"Let him in Rob," said the voice coming from Rob's headset.

"The doctor will see you," Rob said. He stepped aside.

"Thanks, pal," Angelus said with a smirk. He walked into the room which was lined with unopened crates. Through the second door, he found Jayce. A tall, middle aged, man with short brown hair and glasses. He stood next to an operating table. There were steel tables nearby covered in medical tools.

"What can I do for you?" Jayce said, his voice young and energetic.

"I've got a friend with a bit of a problem. Heard you were the guy to talk to about getting his brain checked."

"Literally? I haven't had much experience with brain surgery. It's an incredibly difficult thing to do. At least without any sort of damage being made."

"I've heard a lot of great things about you, but you're right. If I don't think you can pull it off, I'm not letting anywhere near the boy's head."

"What's his problem exactly?"

"Someone put something in his head. A little electronic chip. If they could put it in there must be a way to get it out. I want it deactivated and removed."

"A computerized chip? What's it for?"

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose not, but I'd really like to know about it."

"That's a shame. Can you do it?"

The man thought a moment. "I can't promise I can remove it when I don't know where it's connected or how, but I can take a look at it."

"I want to see you operate first. The brain is a very delicate thing, I should know. I won't have him damaged by clumsy hands."

"I understand. I have a heart surgery tomorrow evening. You can come by then."

"Tomorrow then."