by Rob Sorenson

The Scooby Gang stood together as one in the hallway of Bellevue Hospital. Their most recent brush with death was momentarily forgotten as a figure from their past made his appearance.

Angel. The first romantic love in the life of Buffy Summers. The first ensouled vampire. The first being to earn the complete trust of Faith. The Champion for the forces of Good.

Faith was the first to move toward him, throwing her arms around his waist. Angel's eyes widened slightly.

"I thought we didn't hug."

"Things change. How ya doin', man?"

"Had a long trip."

Buffy felt the need to hug him as well, but she was well aware of the weight of Spike's eyes. She contented herself with an apologetic smile full of meaning that only Angel could see.

He noticed her _expression, and accepted it with a grin of his own. Once Faith pulled away from him, he cleared his throat to speak, taking notice that Xander had somewhat purposefully moved next to the dark headed Slayer.

"I guess you might be wondering why I'm here."

No one said a word. Angel cleared his throat again, a bit nervously.

"It's pretty simple actually. Some guys--more specifically, guys from the Security wing of the Watcher's Council--tried to take out Wes."

Faith moved toward Angel again.

"Is he ok?"

"Yeah, he's fine. He's across the street with the guys that just shot at you."

Spike tilted his head slightly.

"You mean to tell me that you allowed this guy to take shots at us before making a bloody move?"

"Hello to you, too, Spike. You know, if you guys let me finish this will make a little more sense."

Buffy turned to her group.

"Come on, guys. Let Angel talk."

She turned back to her old boyfriend, not seeing Spike silently mimic her last sentence, tilting his head back and forth. Angel couldn't keep the grin from appearing on his face before he got back to business.

"Anyway, like I was saying, they tried to kill Wes. It was pure luck they missed, actually. He'd dropped something and bent over to pick it up as they fired. Blew the Hell out of the weapons cabinet, though."

"Sorry for your loss."

Faith elbowed her boyfriend.

"Shut up, Xand. Angel's talking."

She turned back to the vampire, not noticing Xander's eyes narrowing at her back. Angel waited a beat, deciding to enjoy the moment before continuing.

"We managed to get out of the hotel safely. Cordy was just outside when it happened, so she saw when the shooters took off. The three of us took Gunn's truck and managed to follow them back to where they were staying. We got Fred to trace the registration on their car and found out it was owned by a corporation that Wes recognized as a front for the Watcher's Security Council."

"Naturally we thought about running up there and getting some answers, but Wes came up with the idea of tracking them instead. You--" Angel looked toward Buffy--"had just called him asking about Council offices in New York. You didn't say why, but it seemed like a pretty unlikely coincidence that Wes got attacked an hour after getting off the phone with you. Something big was happening."

"We were still discussing our options when the guys checked out of their hotel and were on the road. At that point the decision was out of our hands. We followed in Gunn's truck. Actually we thought they were on their way to Sunnydale. When they turned east we just stayed with them. They didn't stop until daylight to get some gas. Once they did that Wes snuck up behind their car and put a tracking device underneath."

Dawn interrupted him this time.

"Why didn't you at least call us?"

"Have you checked your messages at home recently?"

The Summers women exchanged glances. Their expressions answered the question. Angel simply nodded and went on.

"Right. Anyway, we were out of options. I had to get out of the sun, so we wound up about 24 hours behind them. Once we hit New York, we tracked their vehicle to the parking garage across the street. We just kept watch on the car and waited for them. Turns out they were already holed up, so they didn't go to their car for anything in the last couple of days."

"At that point our only option was to wait and hope we saw them before they made their move. I smelled the first shot right after it was fired. Wes went after the source of the shots and I was able to see the window they fired into. I figured it had to be you guys. Problem was I couldn't very well run across the street in broad daylight. Cordy figured out what to do there. I hung on to the undercarriage and she drove on to the sidewalk. I ducked in. Got a little smoky, but no permanent damage."

Silence came over them again. Angel spread his hands.

"Questions? Comments?"

Willow raised her hand. He nodded toward her.

"Um, first of all, hi Angel."

"Hey, Willow."

"Secondly, you guys just happened to have a sophisticated tracking device laying around in Gunn's truck?"

"Wes had one with him."

Eyebrows raised in unison. Angel shrugged.

"He carries a lot of cool toys now."

Willow had one more question.

"If you just got here, what makes you so sure Wes has the bad guys?"

Angel said nothing. He merely pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and held it up. Buffy smiled.

"You finally learned how to use one, huh?"

"I adapted."

"I hate those bloody things."

"Yeah well, I'm a lot older than you, Spike. I've picked up a little more wisdom than you along the way."

"Sod off."

Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes. Clearly this was going to be an adventure. Suddenly remembering the events of a few minutes before, her eyes grew cold.

"Call Wes and have him tell me where he's got these guys."

Angel knew that look. He punched Wesley on his speed dial and tossed the phone to his old love. She walked off quickly. Dawn tried to follow her, but Buffy abruptly held up a hand.

"I want to talk to them alone. Stay here where it's safe."

Dawn sighed when Buffy walked out of sight, still slightly shaken up from the attempt on her life. Willow grabbed her hand and escorted her to a chair.

Xander nudged Faith.

"If you can tear your eyes away from Angel for a minute, you might want to go after Buffy."

Faith gave him a withering look.

"I think B's got it under control."

"No, actually I'm not sure she does. I'd go after her myself, but I have half a cast on my leg and a hospital gown with a gaping hole in the back on the rest of my body. Just make sure she doesn't do anything stupid, ok? When it comes to Dawn..."

Faith sighed and nodded. Neither paid attention to the new arrival until she spoke to Xander.

"Wow, that IS quite the gaping hole, isn't it?"

Xander simultaneously covered himself and smiled as he turned to face the familiar voice.

"Hey, Cordy. Long time no see."

The stunning brunette put her arms around him. She pulled back, face etched with concern.

"What happened to you? I emailed you, I called your cell...you scared me. It was, like, two weeks or something."

"Got kidnapped. Sorry.'

"Oh. Well, ok. Don't let it happen again. Cordelia Chase does not like to be ignored."

"I remember."

Faith audibly tapped her foot, arms folded. Xander turned back to her.

"Faith, please. Go check on Buffy, ok?"

He turned back to Cordy with one of his patented crooked smiles. Faith curled her lip, turned on her heel and left without another word.

**************************************************************

Buffy brushed past Wesley without a word, face expressionless. When he attempted to speak, she held out her hand, stopping him.

"Thanks for catching these guys." She nodded toward the open doorway. "They in there?"

Wesley simply nodded. He didn't know Buffy as well as the others, but he still felt a bit disturbed. He'd never seen her this way. The Slayer tossed Angel's cell to her former Watcher.

"Bring this back to Angel. I'm gonna need a minute."

"Buffy, perhaps I should stay--"

"Wes."

Now that look he HAD seen before.

"Right. I'll bring this to Angel, then."

Buffy watched him go, taking a deep breath. She walked into the room, seeing two men tied up back to back. Her eyes passed over the telltale holes in the window. Saying nothing, she proceeded to untie the two soldiers.

"One second here, guys, let me help you with those. There now, that's better. I need you mobile so we can talk. So...which one of you pulled the trigger?"

The men exchanged glances, and turned back to her with defiant stares. Buffy nodded thoughtfully.

"Ok, that was your one shot."

She picked both men up by the throat and slammed them against the wall so quickly they lost their breath. Buffy spoke very slowly.

"Let's try again. Which one of you actually shot at my sister?"

Neither man could speak with the pressure being placed on their throats. Realizing this, Buffy eased her grip a bit.

The man on the right nodded to his counterpart. The other's eyes widened. Buffy nodded with approval.

"There now,. that wasn't so bad, was it?"

She slammed her knee directly into the groin of the man who had fingered his partner as the shooter. When he buckled in agony she raised the same knee into his face, sending him rocketing back toward the wall. He hit hard and sank to the floor, unconscious and bloody. Buffy looked upon him dispassionately and turned back to the other soldier.

"Nobody likes a tattletale."

Visibly shaking, the soldier that was still awake croaked in fright.

"Please--"

Buffy added pressure to his windpipe, eyes widening slightly.

"I'm sorry, did you say something? Did you ask for me to show you mercy?"

"I-"

She pointed with her free hand.

"Your buddy down there with the broken balls? I showed him mercy. He's breathing. In your case--"

She moved to the window, four stories above the New York City street. Still holding him easily in one hand, she carefully opened the window with the other.

Now understanding Buffy's intentions, the soldier began to squirm desperately. She looked up at him coldly.

"Again...you have one shot at this question. Who sent you?"

"C--Council."

"Where can I find them?"

Silence.

"Ok. Ready to go for a ride?"

She tossed him out the window, catching his ankles in mid-flight. He thudded against the outside of the building, screaming in terror.

***************************************************************

Willow was commiserating with Dawn when she looked outside. She was shocked to see a man flying out the window directly across the street. When she spotted Buffy now holding him by the ankles, she thought quickly.

"Ok, don't want anyone seeing that."

Dawn looked up.

"Seeing what?"

"Buffy holding a Watcher Sniper out a 4th story window."

"Oh. HUH?"

Dawn moved alongside to look as Willow chanted, creating an obscuring fog directly over the incriminating window.

"Crap! I missed it! Darn it, Willow!"

"Dawnie, it was either cover that up or watch Buffy go to jail. Sorry I didn't have time to give you a peek."

Dawn folded her arms and sat back down, stewing.

*************************************************************

"Are you ready to tell me what I need to know?"

The soldier was struggling to keep his breakfast down, clawing at the side of the building, tearing fingernails out of panic. Buffy allowed her grip to slip a little, causing him to screech.

"YES!! It's the Secondary Headquarters in Florida!! Please don't kill me! Pleease!!"

"B."

Buffy turned her head slightly.

"Kinda busy right now."

"Cops coming. We gotta bail."

"Almost done."

"Buffy, come on. We stay here we get held up for questions we don't wanna answer. Come on, I found something."

Buffy sighed and tugged on the soldier's ankles, bringing the now blubbering Council Agent back into the room.

"Please--no more. I'll tell you anyth-"

Buffy punched him in the side of the head. He slumped to the floor. Staring down at his supine form, she addressed Faith.

"What did you find?"

"Check it out."

Buffy lingered one more second, then forced herself to turn toward Faith. In the brunette Slayer's hand was a cellphone. Buffy simply nodded to her and walked out, with Faith quickly catching up.

"I dug it out of the other dude's pocket."

"I figured."

"We can check the memory for numbers and stuff, right? Get some area codes or whatever?"

"Probably."

"No need to start dancing in the street, B. Try to be a little less enthusiastic, ok?"

"Sorry."

"Hey, you're freaked. No big."

Buffy heard a snapping sound and took a closer look at Faith.

"You wore surgical gloves?"

"Not leavin any evidence behind. The guy I searched got his nose broken and his balls crushed. I gotta record. Good thing we came here from a hospital."

Buffy looked slightly stricken.

"I didn't have any gloves on."

"You should be ok. No felonies in your history."

Buffy stopped in her tracks as they left the building. She abruptly turned and walked into an alley. Faith followed curiously.

"B? You ok?"

Buffy walked quickly toward a large dumpster and leaped, sending a savage kick into the metal siding, flipping the dumpster over and sending it sliding along the pavement. Sparks flew from the friction.

Faith wisely decided to say nothing.

"That's what I really wanted to do to those guys. Full force, Faith. Everything I had. I would've killed them with one punch."

She turned to her sister Slayer.

"What's happening to me?"

Faith snorted a grim laugh.

"You're human. That's it. God, B, do you know what it took for me to keep from killing that French guy who tortured Xander? I guess you do, judging by what I just saw upstairs."

Buffy took a deep breath as she answered.

"I sort of knew that you or Spike might do something with those guys. I didn't say a word to either one of you."

"Yeah, well....they're coming after us. I'm sure as Hell not gonna judge Spike. He sees this for what it is. I know the rules. Hell, we all know them: no killing humans. You know, I'm starting to think about that one a little. I'm thinking that anyone who screws with me and mine just lost their life privileges. Human, Demon, whatever. This is a war now. Done that before. Just a new enemy is all."

"I'm tired of war."

"You and me both. That's why we gotta finish it. Whatever it takes. Spike and me got there a little before you, but that's where it's at. Our family's gonna get picked off one by one if we don't take them out first. Simple as that."

Buffy again sighed heavily. "Then why did you stop Xander from killing Travers?"

Faith said nothing for a moment.

"I understand the deal. That doesn't mean I feel good about having to do it. Nobody would want someone they love to cross that line. That's why Dawn killing that dude bugged me so much, I guess. I mean, she HAD to do it...and she's strong. She'll be ok with it. I don't want Xander to have to deal with that, though...ever. Does that make any sense?"

"I've never killed a human either."

"I don't know, a coma's pretty close. You should at least get honorable mention."

Buffy smiled a little. They rarely spoke of that night.

"I guess."

"Me and Spike have been there before. We're always gonna have the nightmares. The guilt. Been there, done that. If we gotta do it again, we will."

"Does it get any easier?"

Faith looked hard at Buffy.

"It better not."

Buffy just nodded.

"Come on, I don't want Xand spending too much alone time with the Prom Queen."

They crossed the street, careful to avoid any attention from the NYPD. Reaching Xander's room, they were both pleasantly surprised to see him walking normally around his bed. Faith spoke first.

"Damn, that healing thing really worked, huh?"

"Yeah. The doctors are gonna poke and prod for a while to figure out why, but we should be gone by the end of the day one way or the other."

Buffy sighed with relief.

"Thank God, 'cause we're gonna have to move soon."

"Move where?"

"Still working on that part."

"You get any answers from the guys with guns?"

At that moment, the rest of the Scooby Gang, with the new additions of Wesley, Angel and Cordy, crowded into the room. Xander sat on his bed.

"Ok, I guess the gang's all here. Staff meeting, I take it?"

Buffy was about to respond when the sniper's cellphone rang.

*********Council Headquarters-London Mar-1975**********

Hans was struck dumb by the horrific sight of his Inge, now forever gone...only to be defiled by a demon. She was still moving seductively against the bars in full vamp face, causing Katzenbach to retch.

Travers was shaking his head in disgust. He motioned for his sons to pick up the stricken Watcher. Katzenbach was barely able to stand. Inge was staring at him, fangs bared in a sickly grin. The Chairman spoke in an officious tone.

"It is, of course, unfortunate that this has happened. Whenever a Slayer fails the Cruciamentum, the possibility exists that she will be turned. We attempt to intervene, but it is highly dangerous, as you must understand.

Once she was sired we simply brought her here before her demonic rebirth. She can do no harm to anyone from this cage."

Inge spoke up, her mouth turned into an exaggerated pout. Katzenbach's stomach rolled at the sound once again.

"But I want to harm people. I want to harm you, Hans. I want you to join me. We will remain this way forever. I never realized the freedom of becoming one with the night. The power. I want to share it with you."

Katzenbach at last gathered himself enough to speak to her.

"No."

"No? I offer you eternal life and you simply say no? I'm beginning to think you would turn me down for everything. First you refuse to fuck me--though I understand why...Inge was SO boring--then you deny me companionship after I've changed for you? It's enough to hurt a girls feelings."

Her eyes stared at him with terrifying intensity.

"Imagine what I might do to a man who hurts my feelings. Weak little Inge is gone, darling."

"You didn't change for me. You weren't given a choice."

Inge The Slayer Vampire laughed with delight.

"Well, you have me there, Hans. Inge was given no choice at all. Someone she trusted with her heart and soul betrayed her. It's really quite wonderful, actually. Deliciously demonic."

Hans had no words for that. He was on the verge of complete collapse. Inge saw his discomfort and shook her head with mock disappointment.

"Hans, Hans, Hans. Maintain some dignity, please. Do not pretend that you cared for her now. It's a bit late for that. Come in here, baby. Mama will make all the pain go away."

Quentin Travers' voice spoke up with quiet authority.

"Enough."

Katzenbach was staring off into space, now looking past Inge at the far wall. His emotional health was forever gone; soon, in fact, it would become a distant memory. He acted as if he hadn't heard the Chairman speak.

"Katzenbach, do pull yourself together. We have business to discuss."

Slowly the German's eyes slid away from the wall and toward Travers. The elder Watcher was taken aback slightly by the dead quality in the bright blue eyes of his underling. Katzenbach spoke in a dry, harsh tone.

"What sort of business?"

"We must discuss the future of Rupert Giles."

"Rupert has nothing to do with this."

"I'm aware of that, Katzenbach. I'm also aware that despite his talents, he's young and foolish. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he'd developed a fondness for the two of you."

Hans could feel Inge's glowing yellow eyes upon him. The hunger. He forced himself to go on.

"Rupert is indeed talented. Your point is?"

Travers took a deep breath.

"Hans, I'm going to share some things with you that cannot leave this room."

"I'm deeply honored."

Inge chuckled at the dry sarcasm of her former Watcher. Travers went on as if no one had responded.

"I plan to streamline the Council. Reorganize it so that there is more power at it's center. There is a saying...too many cooks spoil the broth. Have you ever heard that?"

Hans simply stared, still waiting for a point.

"The Watcher's Council needs one strong voice to make the difficult decisions. One voice who can end all debate and do what must be done. That voice is mine."

Still no facial reaction from Katzenbach.

"There are many factions within the Council who would vehemently oppose me if this were to become known. Becoming Chairman forced me to make concessions to people. As you know, there is no clan within the Council who carries more weight that the Giles family. It would be a distinct advantage to me if young Rupert were to return to the fold as a result of my efforts over the past 60 days."

This, at last, drew a reaction.

"This was all about Rupert? All this?"

"Partially, yes. I know you, Hans. You are a very patient and persuasive man. Frankly, you are a bit too...nice. Your Slayer would come before my wishes. I could not allow that. I will be building a new roster of active Watchers who are more along the lines of what I need. Men and women who will discipline their Slayer, not"---Travers couldn't stop himself from sneering slightly--"fall in love with them."

"What do you want from me?"

"I need you to bring Giles back into the Watchers officially. This would give me the gratitude and loyalty of his family, thereby making my position that much stronger."

"So....this was all about politics?"

"No. It was about doing what must be done to protect the world. That is my mission."

"Your mission." Katzenbach shook his head. "What if I refuse to play your game?"

Travers smiled for the first time.

"Oh, that won't be an option. I'm certain there can be a persuasive reason for you to follow my instructions."

He turned to the reinforced cage.

"Inge, how do you like the idea of paying a visit to the families of Rupert and Hans?"

Her eyes gleamed with delight. "That is a lovely idea, Quentin. Thank you. May I visit my own mother and father as well?"

Travers's eyes bore into Katzenbach as he responded, "I'm certain that could be arranged."

Hans was stock still, returning his stare.

"Not even you would release something as dangerous as a Vampire with Slayer powers."

"It would be a small price to pay to achieve my goal."

"You're insane."

"I thought you might feel that way. Frankly your feelings don't concern me. I have one more thing to show you."

Travers pulled a key out of his pocket and turned away, opening a compartment on the wall that resembled a traditional fuse box. He pointed to a large red button at it's base.

"The cage in which Inge is held has a retractable roof. Simply press this button and sunlight comes streaming in. Do this for me, and she will be eliminated."

Inge threw herself against the bars.

"WHAT!? You son of a bitch!!"

She began slamming herself against the bars with terrifying force, to no avail. Snarling and howling she pounded away. Travers merely held Katzenbach's eyes as this went on.

The German closed his eyes and nodded his agreement.

"Excellent. You are an intelligent man, Hans. I knew I could count on you. Rupert is in the library."

Hans Katzenbach walked slowly out the door, shoulders slumped.

Meanwhile Inge was screaming for all she was worth, thudding away at the cage. Travers sighed.

"Oh, do shut up."

He turned back to the fuse box, found the proper button, and pressed.

- End Chapter Fourteen -