"NO WAY!"

Ok, Willow respected that.

She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the onslaught of Cordy’s anger. When the rescue plan came to her, she knew Cordy, Gunn, and Rondell would object.

But it was the only thing she could come up with and, well, it was a good plan.

It was smart, a little on this side of insane, but for what they had it was a plan that had a success rate of more than zero.

They didn’t have much, just the car, an axe, a crossbow, a sword, two radios and two semi-automatics – courtesy of Rondell’s old gang.

Not exactly an arsenal but Willow wasn’t planning an out and out attack.

Which was why her plan was so good.

They were sneaking in, getting Faith, then getting the fuck out of there.

THEY were sneaking in, Willow had another job.

"Cordelia," Willow tried to keep her voice calm. "It’s a good plan. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. This is the best time to execute a rescue. As far as we know, the number of demons is ten. Eight of those demons are out hunting me, which means there are only two guarding Faith. They would never expect me to go right to them."

"BECAUSE IT’S INSANE!"

Gunn looked apologetically at Willow. "Sorry, Rosenberg, but Cordy’s got a point. I think we should go back to Angel."

But they couldn’t. Didn’t they understand? Angel was injured and it was edging close to five thirty, well over three hours since they left the hotel. Sunrise was too close. If they had more time, then maybe he could be called in but now it was impossible.

It had taken her far longer than she anticipated to make progress in finding Faith. Surprisingly, it was more difficult finding people while in moving vehicle. The speed distracted her from the link and it frustrated all of them having to stop every few minutes. It made the trip, to collect the weapons and to find Faith, almost four times longer.

Now the three people with her were frustrated again… mainly because Willow hadn’t let them in on her plan until about two minutes ago.

She thought Gunn would turn the car around if he knew what her strategy was. By waiting until this moment, it was too late for any of them to get extra help.

If they tried to go back, all their work to confuse the demons hunting her would be for nothing.

"When will we have another chance to get Faith back?" Willow asked Cordy. "If they give up hunting me, there will be eight more demons we have to get through. At least with only two we stand a better chance of survival."

"Willow, I’ll admit, your plan does make sense. If we save Faith now, there will be less demons to deal with. And I’m all for that," Cordy conceded. "It’s your plan to get through the demons that are there which is insane."

Willow could see how someone not trained in S&R would think that.

"Willow, we’re talking about demons," the brunette reminded her. "And on that note, now is probably a good time to remind you what happened the last time you faced them."

Her blood went cold. "I choked, it won’t happen again."

"Can you be so sure?"

She hesitated.

No, Willow wasn’t sure but that wasn’t enough to stop her from going ahead with the plan. Quite simply, there was no other alternative. Cordy and the others couldn’t quite see how serious the situation was. The link to Faith was her link to death; she and everyone around her was a victim as long as Faith was missing. This wasn’t some insane heroic act she wanted to do.

It was what she HAD to do.

Her duty.

"It won’t happen again," Willow stated confidently. "This is the only plan that works, Cordelia. Can you think of another way for us to do this?"

She opened her mouth.

"That doesn’t involved Angel."

She glared at her. "Willow, just take a minute to think about this. Please. For me. You’re scared, upset and still feeling guilty. I know… I know what happened in Sunnydale is hard for you and, after everything you said, I understand why you want to save Faith and protect Angel… but none of this is your fault," Cordy was almost begging her to understand. "You’re upset because you ran, guilty because you think you abandoned Angel. If you die –"

"I’m not going to die," Willow assured her.

Cordy snorted. "Really? Willow, you plan to use yourself as bait so Rondell and I can get Faith out of wherever the hell she is! You’re going to die."

When she said it like that, it did sound like a bad idea. "Cordy, I’m going to lure guards away from Faith long enough for you and Rondell to extract her. If I go with you to where Faith is being held, the demons will follow us and we’ll be trapped. They can feel my magic, so why not use that to our advantage? They follow me, you rescue Faith. Easy! By luring them outside into the open, we have a better chance of getting away."

Easy? Sheesh. Famous last words.

"See, that’s where I’m having a little trouble. You want them to chase you. What are you going to do if you get caught?"

Fight until she died. "I didn’t freeze up the second time we ran into them, I can do this. I’m not going to lose it again," Willow wished she sounded more convincing. "Cordy, I know this sounds insane but it will work. You just have to trust me. I know how to handle these situations."

"This is a bad idea. Gunn, turn the car around, we’re heading back to the hotel," Cordelia ordered.

"And then what? Wait for the demons to come back a second time? There is no other choice here, Cordy. That’s the end of it. If you want no part of this, fine, wait in the car with Gunn. I’ll do this with or without you."

Cordy glared at her.

"Yo, Rosenberg," Rondell motioned towards the buildings coming into sight.

Oh boy.

This was it.

Angel grimaced in pain.

"You should be sitting down, Angel," Kyle told him. "I know you’re worried but you’re not strong enough to be walking around yet."

Angel refused to listen. "I don’t care. They’ve been gone for three and a half hours, Kyle. They should have been back by now. Someone should have found them."

He was going out of his mind with worry.

Every hour that ticked by seemed like an eternity and, with sunrise so close, his panic was beginning to show. By the time he healed, it would be next to impossible to find them. Damn it! How could Gunn’s men not find them? There were at least thirty people out looking, including ten wounded, and no one had seen a thing.

Willow and Cordy simply disappeared.

"Maybe Gunn and Rondell found them," Kyle suggested. "They’re the only two that haven’t called in."

Yes, but why wouldn’t they call in? Gunn knew how important Willow was, so did Rondell. If they had the two women, they would have brought them straight back here. But then… they would have called if they hadn’t found them either.

It wasn’t like them to not check in at least once.

Everyone else had checked in several times. The hotel was alive with activity, especially the lobby where Angel was right now. There was almost always people coming or going. When someone checked in, they usually left a few minutes later. Everyone was devoted to finding the missing pair, the perimeter Willow had set up was now forgotten. No one had patrolled it since this started.

Angel didn’t… he didn’t know what he would do if he lost either one of them. He loved them both so much and to be here helpless was killing him. Damn it! He should have gone with Willow and Cordy. If he had, then maybe they would still be ali… no. He wasn’t going to let himself think that. They were alive, they had to be alive.

They were just hiding… oh god, please let them be alive.

Kyle put a hand on his arm. "Angel, even if they are in trouble. You can’t forget that Willow has combat training. I’m sure they’re both ok."

Angel snorted. "You didn’t see how scared she was. Any vampire with half a brain will go for her."

"Cordy wouldn’t let anything happen to her. You trained Cordy to fight didn’t you? She tells me as often as she can that she’s able to, quote, ‘kick vampire and demon butt’. She says she’s even better at sword fighting than you."

He smiled. "I know they can take care of themselves. It’s just… with Faith missing and now Cordy and Willow gone…"

"They’re both extremely…"

Extremely what? Kyle? Angel looked to his friend and noticed that he was staring towards the lobby door. Unthinkingly he jumped to his feet, expecting – hoping – to see Willow and Cordy.

It wasn’t Willow or Cordelia.

Four men stood just inside the door. All of them with startled expressions on their faces. Angel suddenly wished they had cleaned up… and kept their voices down.

"Can I help you?"

The oldest man in the group, step forward. "Yes, we’re looking for Lieutenant Rosenberg."

Lieutenant?

Angel almost didn’t want to ask his next question. "And you are?"

"Major Charles Kawalsky, United States Air Force."

"Ok, listen carefully. The link is going straight into that building and downward. It’s strong, so we’re close. Rondell, you’ve had experience with the semi-automatic? Good. You’re armed. Don’t fire unless absolutely necessary and keep a few bullets spare incase you need to shoot some locks. Cordy, take the sword and be careful. I’ll give you the word as soon as I see the demons, then I want to keep complete radio silence until you have Faith. Once you have her, contact me and I’ll scream out for Gunn. Gunn, you stay in the car. This shed should keep you out of sight. If you’re spotted, drive around but not too far. Keep an eye out for us. Once we have Faith, we’re out of here. No waiting around. Is that clear?"

"Crystal."

"Got it."

"Aye, aye, Captain."

"I’m sorry, Sir, I didn’t catch your name?"

There was no way they were going to fall for his explanation. He had been caught so off guard that he said the first thing that popped into to his mind. There really wasn’t anything he could say that wouldn’t sound suspicious – not with the hotel looking like a world war had just happened.

And definitely not if they overheard some of his conversation with Kyle.

Damn it. Angel kicked himself for not being more alert. His worry, his injuries, and the constant people in the hotel had given the four men the opportunity to walk in here without Angel noticing.

"Angel."

Major Kawalsky held his hand out. "It’s a pleasure to meet you. Willow told us a lot about you. This is Captain Christian Hayes, Lieutenant Josh Grogan and Dr Daniel Jackson."

Daniel?

THE Daniel?

"I’m sorry, but where did you say Lieutenant Rosenberg was? At a night club?" Major Kawalsky asked, taking the proffered seat.

It was the only plausible place for her to be this time of the morning. "Yeah, she’s been there since around…"

"Two," Kyle finished for him, shooting him a look.

"Things have been a little rough with Giles hurt," he went on to explain. "We haven’t even been able to clean the place up yet. I gave them the night off."

None of them looked particularly convinced by his story.

Especially not Daniel. Out of all of them, he had the less intimidating appearance. He was the one Angel had considered the least threatening… until now.

"They went clubbing? Willow?"

Angel had a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"That’s surprising, because I called her around two am when your alarm went off. Willow didn’t mention anything about clubbing to me then," Dr Jackson informed him.

WHAT? Willow talked to Daniel tonight? Where the hell was he?

"And from the way it sounded when we walked in here, I got the impression that Willow was out there with your friend, the one good a sword. What was her name? Cordy?" Major Kawalsky face was almost pleasant.

Angel could smell his fury.

"That was the one," Captain Hayes confirmed. "She’s good at fighting vampires and demons? That’s good to know. Though, it’s entirely surprising. Cordy went to school with Willow, in Sunnydale. The Hellmouth. That’s where you’re from too, isn’t it?"

Oh god, they knew Willow’s secret.

How? Willow said they didn’t know anything.

Something must have shown on his face because Major Kawalsky held up his hand in a reassuring gesture. "Relax. She’s not in trouble. We’re here to back her up."

And he was supposed to believe that?

Um, actually, yes, because there were no lies in his words.

"So, why don’t we try this a second time without the bullshit?"

Willow held her weapon out in front of her as she scanned the clearing, clutching it like it were a life line. The start of dawn made surveillance a little easier.

In theory her plan sounded great but in reality, standing out here alone, it really didn’t seem like such a good –

A low growl broke off her thoughts.

She froze at the sound and for a few horrifying seconds she thought she had made a terrible mistake. The fear she felt back at the hotel came flooding back. The gun trembled in her hand.

Sweet Jesus, Cordy was right. She couldn’t…

YES! She could!

These sons of bitches had Faith, they were going to destroy the world.

Everyone she loved would die. Her friends here, her friends back at the base.

Daniel.

"Lieutenant," she mumbled to herself. "You’re not going to lose him…them."

Her eyes narrowed as she waited for a sign of their position. She forced herself to forget that this was anything but a military situation. She had a responsibility here, she was the only officer in a group of civilians.

God damn it! She was forgetting herself. She was acting like SHE was the civilian. But she wasn’t!

It was her sworn duty to do everything in her power to keep them alive.

The SGC refused to give up in the face of the Goa’uld, an enemy far greater and powerful than they were, so Willow refused to give into the demons and her fear.

She would not dishonour her command again.

General O’Neill would stand and fight, Kawalsky would fight, Hayes, Grogan, Ferretti, Atkins, Colonel Carter, Teal’c, even Daniel would all stand and fight – regardless of the odds.

So would she.

Refusing to acknowledge or give power to her fear, Willow searched for the demons. The growl had been nearby. There weren’t many places for them to… THERE! A flash of movement caught her eyes.

Two of them.

"Rondell, you have a go," she told him.

Willow glanced down to the ground next to her where the axe sat and waited for them to move, ignoring her shaking hands.

She could do this.

Two minutes later, Lieutenant Rosenberg opened fire.

He wasn’t talking.

Daniel had to admit, he would do the same thing in his position.

Why should he trust them? They only just met. There was no way for him to know they were telling the truth.

"Angel, I understand your concern," Kawalsky said. "You’re trying to protect Willow, and I respect that, but we’re not here to hurt Willow."

Hayes continued. "If Lieutenant Rosenberg was in trouble from the USAF, this place would be swarming with the military and scientific personnel. We have no desire to expose her."

Angel remained silent but turned to Daniel.

Angel had been watching him quite a bit since they arrived. Even if the others were talking, he always managed to watch him.

He guessed it was his turn. "Willow is in trouble. I know because she called me last night. She told me something is going on and that it’s to do with Giles and – "

"You spoke to Willow last night AND a few hours ago?" Angel seemed surprised.

He nodded. "Yes, and I know you’re trying to protect her but she doesn’t need protection from us. None of us would EVER hurt her," he could feel himself getting worked up. Willow was in trouble! Why wouldn’t he let them help her? "We know about demons and vampires, we know Willow isn’t really psychic. What else is there to hide from us? Nothing. You’re injured and this place is a disaster, if you think by keeping silent you’re protecting her, you’re not. We can help her but the only thing standing in our way is you. Now tell us what the hell you know!"

Oh… um…

"Way to go white knight," Grogan whispered, nudging him lightly on the arm.

Angel stared at him for the longest time then nodded.

"I’m going to kill her and then, when I’m done, I’ll find a way to bring her back then Angel can kill her," Cordelia muttered as they ran down the stairs in the abandoned plant. "We’ll bring her back again and Faith can kill her."

"What about Giles?"

"Oh, he’ll want to kill her too."

Angel was going to lose it when he found out what they were doing. God, Cordy was planning her own funeral as well. Their favourite vampire was going to tear them all apart for letting her do this. Shit. This was a bad idea. Was Willow even still alive? Cordy had heard gunfire not long after they ran in here.

Oh god, if Willow died they were all –

"Hey, Cordy, do you hear that?"

She listened carefully and a broad grin spread across her face when she heard what sounded like someone banging against a cage.

Faith.

The two of them raced to where the sound was coming from and… there she was! Alive, looking like crap but trying to bust the cage door open.

That was Faith through and through.

"Damn, I thought I was hearing things," the brunette tried to smile with her swollen lip. "Man, is it good to see you guys. How the hell did you get in here?"

"We’ll fill you in later," Rondell replied. "Are you badly hurt?"

"I’ve had worse," she gestured to the door. "Can’t get this freaking door open, though. Want to help me what that?"

She’s good? Really? Because it looked like Faith should be having trouble breathing. She was black and blue. "Faith, move away from the door. Rondell, do you think you can shoot it?"

He inspected the lock and nodded. "It might take a few minutes."

He threw the radio to Cordy and fired the weapon.

Fuck! Fuck! FUCK!

Willow ran as fast as she could from the demons, darting between the buildings. The demons had been chasing her since she opened fire. Angel was right, the bullets didn’t do much but the sound of the weapon fire slowed them down.

Which Willow used to her advantage.

She was using everything she had to her advantage. The demons were slower than she was, not too much, but enough to give her the opportunity to keep ahead of them. Her surroundings were also an advantage; abandoned industrial areas had lots of place for her to run and … well just run through.

Hiding was impossible at the moment.

Willow could hear the demons running behind her – along with her pounding heart – but didn’t turn around. She really didn’t want to know how close they were. If she so much as lost her footing she’d be a goner.

Come on, Cordy, find Faith.

The longer it took for them to find Faith, the longer it would take her to get back to them. Right now she was leading the demons away from the Faith, towards god knows where.

Her legs were aching and her lungs felt like they were about to burst but she refused to slow down. All she had to do was hold on until Faith was saved and she would be safe. Her fear was simmering right beneath the surface and every second that past her control slipped that little bit more.

"Lieutenant, it’s Cordy. Come in?"

Please, please have good news. "I hear you, Cordy."

"We found Faith, she’s ok."

Her step faltered at the news. "Oh thank…" Willow let out a scream as she was tackled to the ground and a burning sensation flared across her back.

"Willow? Willow!"

No! No! Willow tried to scramble away from the thing grabbing her but it was too strong and she felt herself being drawn to it. Its hand held her tightly around her left ankle.

"SHIT!" Willow cried out as she kicked with her right foot as hard as she could.

Damn it! The grip on her leg was so strong she wondered how it wasn’t crushing the bone.

She felt herself being flipped over onto her back and she screamed out with pain. Acting on instinct she swung her weapon around and fired until the bullets ran out.

Fuck! FUCK!

Two pairs of red eyes stared at her.

Willow stared into their eyes and froze.

This was every nightmare, every terror she every imagined.

"Willow!" Cordy’s frantic voice screamed over the radio. "Lieutenant! Hold on! That’s an order! We’re coming."

Bless Cordy.

The fear that held her frozen fell away and her strength was renewed.

She did the only thing she knew to do – what the SGC taught her to do.

She fought like hell.

"Hurry, damn it!" Cordy screamed.

Cordy refused to let herself think as they ran out of the building. If she let herself think about what was happening to Willow, then she would break down.

Her scream, oh god, Willow sounded like something was hacking into her.

"What the hell were you thinking bringing Red here?" Faith demanded, half limping, half running.

"We didn’t have a choice, the demons were tracking her… It’s a long story but she decided to play hero instead of going to Angel for help."

Not quite true.

Or was it?

Willow could have gone back to Angel for help. They could have done a number of things and now Willow had been captured.

Shit!

If the witch survived this…

Cordy was going to kill her.

Willow’s fingers scratched on the dirt, searching for anything to hold onto. They were dragging her somewhere and she was looking for something that would slow them down. Her gun was lost and her axe had been dumped long before they captured her.

Fuck!

There was nothing to hold onto! She couldn’t stop them from taking her away! Her back was hurting and her fingers were beginning to bleed.

Adrenaline pumped through her veins.

Willow couldn’t remember being this scared in her life. It was taking every bit of her training to keep her from losing it completely. She was close to the edge. With each struggle she could feel her fear growing stronger.

Fuck, oh fuck.

God damn it, she was NOT going to die like this. Willow kicked at the demon pulling her again as she tried to focus.

Think! She had to think!

It took her a moment to remember that she wasn’t alone. "GUNN!"

"GUNN!" Faith almost tripped when she heard the scream.

Oh shit.

Ignoring her own pain, she increased her speed. Faith didn’t think she had ever been this pissed in her life. What the FUCK were they thinking bringing Red here? For Christ sake, she was almost scared of her own shadow.

Faith didn’t give a damn how much military training she had.

The witch wasn’t ready for this.

She held onto her fury and focused it into her own power.

Being pissed made forgetting the pain a little bit easier.

The three of them ran towards where the screams were coming from. God damn it! She was too slow! Faith kicked herself for not being at full strength, though she was grateful she had healed as much as she had while unconscious. Otherwise she wouldn’t be able to fight. "Who else is here?" she wanted to know.

"Gunn, he’s in the car."

What the fuck was going on here? "That’s all? Jesus!" Faith was going to kill them. "What do we have as weapons?"

Cordy held up a sword and Rondell held up his gun.

Faith had to hold back the urge to kick their asses. "Cordy, give me the sword and go get Gunn."

Cordy threw the sword. "If she doesn’t answer to Willow call her Lieutenant."

Lieutenant? Jesus. "Rondell, you’re with me. Is Red armed?"

"She has a gun and an axe."

And the fact that she wasn’t firing just screamed that Red wasn’t thinking… or it could just mean she ran out of bullets.

"Are you strong enough to take them?"

She shook her head. "We’re not taking them, we’re just getting Red and running. Fuck. Do we know how many there are?" Faith couldn’t remember anything past the ritual.

"Two. The other eight are looking for Willow in the city."

She so didn’t want to know.

"GUNN!" Willow scream sliced through the air again.

The plea for help gave Faith another burst of speed and she ran around to the side of the building. Damn it! Red was there, being dragged by a demon towards wherever the hell and she was clawing at the ground trying to stop them.

Fuck.

Thank Christ there were only two of them.

One had Willow by the leg and the other was walking a few feet ahead. Faith took a deep breath and headed straight towards them.

She had given her word to Buffy that she would keep Willow safe.

And she’d be damned if she wasn’t going to keep it.

"They’ve got Willow!" Cordy screamed when the car was in sight.

Charles Gunn’s heart stopped. "Oh shit. Faith?"

"Faith and Rondell are getting her back," she jumped into the passenger seat. "They’re over there! Move!"

He slammed the car into gear.

Hang on, Red, she was almost there.

The witch was still yelling and fighting to get free. Which, to be honest, surprised Faith. She figured Red would have lost it by now but she hadn’t, she looked shit scared but she was still fighting.

As Faith neared the demon, she raised the sword in the air. Willow’s screams and struggles were enough to keep her approach secret so the demon had no idea she was there until she was on him.

With all her strength, she smashed the sword down on the demon’s arm.

Cutting it clean off.

Rondell opened fire a second later but the demons didn’t even blink at the attack. Red, however, did. She gave a startled shout then stared at her, stunned. A second later, she rolled away of the demon.

Faith grunted in pain as a fist struck her chest, knocking her down.

Getting her ass kicked by these guys was getting a little old.

The injured demon roared at her and charged.

Faith flipped back onto her feet. She waited until just the right moment – and the pain to subside – before jumping out of the way, springing off the ground onto a balcony of a nearby building, stabbing the demon in the chest as she passed it.

The demon howled.

Adrenaline was REALLY a plus at the moment.

She had to admit, fighting two of these demons was a LOT easier than ten at a time! Not that this was easy, the armless demon had a sword in his chest but hadn’t died yet.

But it was slowing down… edging away from them, giving its brother a turn at kicking Slayer ass.

Where the hell were Cordy and Gunn?

Willow screamed and began throwing rocks as the other demon made a beeline for her.

The Slayer jumped off the balcony, landing between Red and the uninjured demon.

Time for round two hundred.

Hurry! Hurry!

Cordelia held onto the dashboard as Gunn sped through the industrial. Oh thank god! They were still alive. She could see Rondell and Faith, both of them trying to keep the demons off them and…

Was that demon missing an arm?

"Hang on, Cordy, I’m going to try to take out that second demon."

She yelped as Gunn accelerated and headed straight towards the demon advancing on Faith and… WILLOW! It had to be Willow on the ground behind Faith. It looked like she was trying to stand but… oh god, was she hurt?

She was stunned to see Willow pick up a nearby rock and throw it at the demon then scramble away from it.

"Watch out for Willow," she cautioned.

"I see her. Hold onto something."

Cordy squeezed her eyes shut and held on for dear life.

"Way to go!" Faith cheered as the demon went flying. "Perfect timing."

"Come on, let’s go," Rondell shouted. "Where’s Willow?"

Faith raced to the witch’s side. "Red, come on!"

The redhead took her hand and Faith pulled her from the ground.

Willow yelped in pain.

"Lieutenant, it’s time to move," Gunn shouted from the car.

Red yanked her hand from Faith’s then threw herself into the car, Faith and Rondell followed a moment later.

It was over?

Willow willed her heart to slow down and her body to calm but it couldn’t. Her mind couldn’t comprehend that it was over, and everyone was ok. She had refused even think it until they were several miles from the industrial area.

Even then she was having a hard time accepting it.

It was over, they were safe.

For now.

She could still feel the demons hand on her leg.

Willow squeezed her eyes shut at the memory, the second she did she regretted it. All she could see the moment she closed her eyes were the demons, their eyes.

Shit! Shit!

The adrenaline was slowly fading at the shock and reality of her situation was setting it.

Easy to be brave in the heat of the battle – it was afterwards when the real freak out began.

Sweet Jesus. They made it, Willow couldn’t believe –

"Red?" Faith’s gentle tone startled her out of her thoughts. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you."

Her nerves were fried.

"I just wanted to take a look at your wound, you’re bleeding. Did you want to move forward – "

"NO!" Willow said louder and more forcefully than she intended. She… she didn’t want anyone touching her. Not when she was like this. She was… she was too wired… too… Willow didn’t know what she was. "It’s ok. It’s just a scratch."

A deep scratch that hurt like a bitch.

But the pain was better than someone touching her.

She just wanted to go back to the hotel and shower until her skin was raw.

Daniel cradled his face in his hands. "We have to find her."

"We’ve tried," Angel told him. "I have people out looking everywhere for them, there hasn’t been a sign of them for hours."

They were taking it relatively well. The four men sitting across from him had been telling him the truth, they really didn’t want to hurt Willow, and that was why he told them as much as he did.

But Angel didn’t tell them everything.

Just slightly more than they overheard.

They didn’t know about the apocalypse, nor did they know about Willow’s full power.

It had taken him almost an hour to explain everything to them, and now they were deciding what to do. THEY were deciding, Angel was still stuck inside, helpless. It was just past six thirty, he had the entire day to get through before he could look for Willow and Cordy.

"She’d be on the run, which means she could be anywhere," Kawalsky stated, still pale. "Damn it, she should’ve called us."

Angel rankled at the comment.

"Do you have a map of LA?" Grogan asked. "We should start marking where people have looked and systematically rule out places. It’s a slow process but at least it will give us an idea of where we stand."

"We could even check Willow’s notes. Maybe she went after Faith," Hayes suggested. "If she found an opportunity, she would have taken it."

What? No. She had been too scared. Willow wouldn’t have done something so stupid.

"Good idea," Kawalsky agreed. "Angel, can we use your office take a look at Willow’s work?"

Now he could see where Willow got her working technique from. "Sure, it’s right through – "

"Yo, Fang! Miss me?"

FAITH!

Angel jumped to his feet, stunned beyond belief. "Faith? What are you doing here? How? How did you get away?"

The bruised and battered Slayer smiled. "Well, I had a little help from my friends… whoa! Oh, sorry fang I didn’t know you had company." Why did Faith look so freaked? It was like she knew exactly who these people were.

Wait a second, did she say friends?

That meant…

Thank god! Willow! Angel felt the tension flee him as Cordelia, Gunn, Rondell, and Willow walked into the hotel. They were alive. All of them… but Willow looked like she had been dragged through, um, dirt and she was bleeding.

"Oh god, Willow!" Daniel exclaimed.

Willow looked up and froze.

The blood drained from her face as she saw who was standing beside him.

"Sir… what… oh… Sir…"

"Sir?" Cordy repeated, her eyes widening. "Oh crap."

Willow snapped to attention and saluted her commanding officers.

Angel didn’t miss the way she winced in pain or the scent of blood that filled the room. He also didn’t miss exactly what this meant.

Willow saved Faith.

He was going to kill her.

Next