Buffy surveyed the situation, blinking rapidly as Ethan entered the room flanked by what appeared to be at least 20 strong men.

"GOD!" she blurted in frustration. "Seriously, why? I mean, being the chosen one wasn't enough? Why do I never ONCE get the opportunity to have anyone believe for, I don't know, twenty seconds that I mean one of my threats?"

"You don't have to fight us," Ethan told her, voice sincere. "Just join us. You can reunite with your children. You can move back home. Just give us Angel."

As Angel watched the emotions play across Buffy's face at the mention of her children, he was glad he didn't have a heart because he was sure it would have broken.

"Tempting," she said softly after a long moment, "But I'm going to have to go with a 'not on your life.'"

And with that she launched herself toward the nearest man.

Angel cringed as he saw Buffy hurled into a nightstand, the wood splintering under her weight and its contents spilling out all around her. He was flabbergasted as, moments later, she threw a ring toward him from the wreckage. He caught it reflexively, not even sure why as she shouted "Put it on!"

He did so without question, half expecting to be infused with a sudden burst of strength or some power, surprised when he felt nothing but the cold metal against his skin.

"Now get out of here!" he heard her scream from somewhere behind him, evidently having managed to get to her feet, and he grunted as one of the men made solid contact with his jaw.

"In case you haven't noticed, the odds aren't exactly in our favor NOW," he bit out, flooring the man with an angry roar. "If you think I'm leaving you here ALONE to-"

"Oh get over yourself," she snapped cruelly. "All you do is distract me anyway! Now get OUT of here!"

"I am not-" he began before being thrown to the floor by an onslaught of three men.

"I swear to you," he heard her cry before she let out her own cry of pain before continuing; "I won't let him take me alive."

"I'm not sure that's comforting," Angel snapped, lashing out viciously and somehow managing to get to his feet once more.

"Okay, and I swear I won't die," she quipped before hissing as a man kicked her hard in the gut. "PLEASE," she continued, and something in her voice gave him pause as she near-whispered, "We're less vulnerable right now alone."

And as Angel took a real look at the scene around him, objectively, he was forced to admit that she might be right. She would be less vulnerable without him to worry about.

"Make sure I don't need to come rescue you," he growled before diving out the nearest window.

The second Buffy was certain Angel was far enough away that not even his unnaturally sensitive ears would hear her she threw up her hands in defeat, saying loudly, "I surrender!"

Ethan almost choked in disbelief. "You- surrender?"

"That's right," she nodded calmly. "Do whatever you want with me, it doesn't matter now. Just please- don't hurt my children."

Ethan smiled sympathetically, holding up a hand and gesturing for his men to drop their weapons as he said gently, "Poor child. I suppose I should tell you the truth: Your children are dead."