by Rob Sorenson

Willow and Wesley had been spending a considerable amount of time researching possible locations for the Council's Florida headquarters. It had been the one fruitful thing that had resulted from Buffy's interrogation of the snipers who had missed Dawn's head by inches.

As her fingernails clacked against the keyboard, Willow shuddered momentarily at the implications had they been successful. Overwhelming grief plus great power equals serious danger to everyone. <Been there, done that, set fire to the T-shirt,> she thought. She couldn't think of anything more potentially scary than an enraged Buffy, consumed by the need for revenge.

The Wicca hacked into the Council system and scanned files, looking for any references to the state of Florida. There had been a few she'd discounted immediately: heavy vampire activity in South Beach, a Sephoro demon living in Hemingway's old home in Key West, things like that. No indication was given of an American Emergency Headquarters. She'd been able

to get confirmation that the sniper hadn't been lying at least. There had been communications within the last two weeks from Travers himself. On the day that the confrontation between the Scooby Gang and their clones the now dead Chairman had instructed the entire Council to report to the alternate location.

Wesley, in the meantime, was making phone calls to various associates that he'd maintained contact with. He wasn't comfortable doing this because transmissions could be monitored, leaving friends at risk. On the other hand, these "friends" had no doubt been aware that an attempt on his life was imminent, and he'd heard nothing about it. This eased his conscience a bit. He'd managed to get through to two of his former colleagues, both of whom attempted to hang up. Wesley had managed to keep

them talking by detailing personal information about their families, and where they lived. The now jaded former Watcher had kept these little tidbits aside, hoping that he would never have to utilize them.

Unfortunately, that decision had clearly been made for him. Using the implied threat, he'd received information from two separate sources that he could hardly believe. When he shared his findings with Willow, the lovely

redhead had stared at him for a long time, probably wondering if he was joking. He was not.

She went back to her keyboard and did some more digging, now using Wesley's info to perform a topic search. Five minutes later she sank back into her chair, a disbelieving _expression on her face.

"Wesley?"

He'd dozed off. Snapping to attention, he spoke in a slightly embarrassed tone.

"Ummm...yes?"

"I found it."

He raised his head up from his vantage point on the bed and looked over Willow's shoulder. She'd accessed the personal files of Pierre Leveque. The French Canadian was clearly a religious note taker, and put all his thoughts on file. One of those thoughts made a clear reference to the specific location of the Council's Florida headquarters.

It matched up exactly with Wesley's findings. She looked over at him, wide eyed.

"This is...bizarre."

"I must agree."

"I need to get some air."

"I think I'm going to lie down."

"You are lying down, Wes."

"Right. Of course. I wish to continue doing that."

Willow walked out of the room, still a little dazed, when she nearly jumped out of her skin as a voice called from behind her in the hotel's hallway.

"Red! Whatcha doin?"

"Jeez, Faith! Sneak up on people, why don't you."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"I thought everybody was going to patrol or something."

"Yeah....I was just leavin' to do that, and then I saw you. I was wondering if we could talk for a minute."

Willow couldn't help herself. She raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"You want to talk to me?"

"You gotta problem with that?"

"I guess not. What's up?"

"You remember when Xander and Cordy were together, right?"

"Um, yes. I was sort of, you know...there?"

Faith plowed on, seemingly unaware of Willow's sarcasm.

"So...how good were they? I mean, was he really into her?"

"I'm...not sure what you mean."

Faith was looking away, seemingly talking to herself.

"I can understand why. Look, As much as the chick bugs me, she's clearly a major league hottie. I can say that and be comfortable with it, right?"

"Um...sure. Why do you want--"

"Because it's not like I got nothing to offer. I mean--" She motioned toward herself up and down--"check this out already. It doesn't get any hotter than this, now does it?"

Willow reddened. "Uhhhh..."

"He'd be out of his damn mind to turn this out and hook up with that snooty bitch, wouldn't he?"

"Actually, Cordy's changed a lot. She's really a good person."

Faith simply glared at her. Willow cowered a little.

"Or.....not?"

"He couldn't have been that into her anyway. The guy started messing with you, for God's sake. What does that say about her if someone like you could've stolen him? No offense, but it's not as if you were prime man stealing material back then."

Willow found her voice then. "Hey, wait a minute. I wasn't that bad. What's so strange about him finding me attra-"

"She never even gave it up." Faith hesitated a moment. "Did she? 'Cause he said-"

Willow rolled her eyes.

"I think you know the answer to that one better than I ever will."

Faith just grinned. Willow stared at her thoughtfully.

"Of course, there was the broom closet thing."

Faith raised her eyebrows. She'd heard that reference before. "The what now?"

"The broom closet. Xander and Cordy used to sneak into broom closets. It sort of became their...specialty. First the school, then the Bronze, then the Espresso Pump, then the hardware store...pretty much every

public building in Sunnydale, actually."

Faith's face darkened as Willow went on.

"Xander used to absolutely rave about the things they did together. Apparently Cordy really gets into the danger of nearly being caught."

Actually, he'd never told Willow a thing about the broom closet experience, but Faith had this coming.

"He told me she does this thing with her tongue--"

Willow stopped herself, trying not to smile as Faith's eyes were rapidly becoming dangerous. The Slayer spoke with clenched teeth.

"I'm going to the hospital. Xander's checking out tonight. For her sake, that chick better not have her paws all over him."

She turned to stalk back to Bellevue when Willow caught her arm and turned her around.

"Oh...and Faith?"

Before the brunette could react Willow moved in quickly and kissed her hard on the mouth, lingering for a moment, positively shocking the Slayer. Willow pulled back just as fast, a confident smile on her face as

she spoke softly.

"That's how someone like me could've stolen him. Gotta go now. See ya."

Willow turned and walked slowly away, leaving an open mouthed Faith behind.

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

The redhead had just made her way to the nearly deserted lobby, still smiling, when another voice came from behind her.

"Willow."

She jumped.

"What? Can't anyone be visible when they talk to me at first?"

"Sorry." He appeared to be searching for words. "I

was...concerned. I didn't want you to go out alone."

"Angel, I'm pretty sure I'd be ok out there by myself. Thanks, though."

"I know you can take care of yourself. I just..." He sighed. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course. What's wrong?"

"I don't know if there's anything wrong, really. I don't want to drop this on you, but Cordy and I are kind of seeing each other."

Willow smiled. "Really? That's nice. A little surprising, but nice."

His eyes narrowed. "Why surprising?"

"Well...you two are pretty different."

"She's not the same girl you knew. She's a brave, intelligent woman. I couldn't do the things I do without her. After a while things just started developing. We've always liked and respected each other....and things have kind of happened from there."

"Ok. As I said before, that's nice."

Angel looked away. Willow sighed to herself. <Yep, same old Angel.>

"You're telling me about you and Cordy because...."

"Right. Sorry. Went away there for a second."

"S'okay. You always needed a little brooding time."

"Anyway, I saw her talking to Xander today, and they're really comfortable together. He makes her laugh. I never make anyone laugh. Have you ever noticed that about me?"

"You've made people laugh before. I remember one time....well, give me a minute and I'll come up with something. Anyway, Cordy and Xander are way over. They were way over before you left Sunnydale."

"You think so? She has this spark thing she gets in her eye when she likes someone. When she saw Xander, I saw the spark. She hardly ever gives me the spark."

"She hasn't seen him in a while, that's all. Plus, hellooo. It's Xander. He makes everybody laugh."

"Not me."

"You don't count. Angel, the only time I ever saw you laugh was when you weren't you. Trust me when I tell you that I don't ever want to see him again."

He said nothing.

"Look, they might have been in love with each other once, but Xander is so into Faith that he can't see straight."

Angel smirked. "Another hopeless cause for the boy, huh?"

It was Willow's turn to say nothing. Angel raised an eyebrow.

"Wait a minute. You're not telling me---that his cause isn't hopeless are you?"

"It never was a cause. Faith and Xander are in love. With each other."

"You've got to be kidding. Xander? I mean, Xander always did tilt at windmills, but Faith is actually into Xander?"

"Weren't you just concerned that your current girlfriend was still into him?"

"No. I was concerned that she doesn't care for me as much as I do her. Xander has nothing to do with it. He's just an example."

"Oh, stop. Admit it. You were jealous when you saw Xander and Cordy getting along really well. I seem to remember you being jealous when Buffy did her little sexy dance for him back in the day, too."

"There is nothing about that guy that I need to be jealous about."

She pointed her finger at him.

"Exactly. There isn't. You're different people with different qualities. Ok, technically you're not a person, but for all intents and purposes...you even live in different cities now. When are you two going to let go of your animosity? It's stupid and immature. I expect better from both of you."

"Has Xander talked to you about me?"

"No, but I can read him like a book. He has the same problem as you; he can't deal with the fact that you're close with Faith. I saw that in his eyes when you first got into town. It's ridiculous."

"I love Faith, but not like that. She knows that too. You can tell him that if it makes you feel better."

"I'm not going to tell him anything. This has nothing to do with me. I'll tell you something, though."

"What?"

"Save your money. Cordy may have changed, but her tastes haven't."

Angel looked away without acknowledging Willow's humor. She frowned.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Cases have dried up a little lately. At least the ones with paying customers."

"How bad? Wait, forget I asked. It's none of my business."

"It's ok. I brought it up. We're about to lose the hotel."

"That bad?"

"Yes. We'll figure something out, though. I just need some time."

"Of course."

They stood awkwardly for a moment.

"You should go up to Wesley's room. We're going to be meeting up there in about an hour and a half."

Angel looked at his watch. "Is it that late already? I told Buffy I'd meet her. Guess I'll apologize later. You coming along?"

"I'll be up in about half an hour. I was leaving to get some fresh air, remember?"

"Right. Ok." They shared a smile and turned in opposite directions.

"Oh...and Willow?"

"Yes?"

"I heard that crack about brooding. I don't brood any more."

She hugged him.

"You keep telling yourself that. I'll see you shortly."

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

Spike had agreed to meet Buffy for patrol, but he'd lost track of time trying to keep up with the "Passions" episodes that he had on tape. He checked his watch.

"Oh, Bloody Hell!!"

He'd thrown his clothes on as quickly as possible, hoping that Angel hadn't been given too much quality alone time with Buffy when there was a soft knock on the door. He half expected to see an angry Slayer when he checked the peephole, which was actually rather silly. Buffy had a key to her own room.

He saw her younger sister's face instead. Sighing heavily to himself, he opened the door.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Can I come in?"

He simply moved away from the door.

Dawn walked in and sat on his bed. For a moment, there was silence. Spike never could stand uncomfortable silence.

"You want a drink, Bit? Honor bar's open all night. Coke? Pepsi? Gin and tonic?"

"I don't think Buffy would let you live if you gave me gin and tonic."

"Why not? You're an adult now."

"I'm eighteen, Spike. Three more years until I'm legal."

"Sod that. You're old enough to fight in a war. Old enough to vote. If you can do that, you can have a nip every now and again. Buffy never has to know, does she?"

"I guess I'm already in a war, huh?"

Spike looked at her for a moment, and walked toward the drawer at he and Buffy's bedside.

"I have something to show you. Willow dug it up for me."

He took out a manila folder and tossed it next to her.

She raised an eyebrow and opened it.

"Major Raymond Huddleston? Am I supposed to know who this guy is?"

"Picture's on the second page."

She turned the page and did a quick intake of breath as she looked at the grimly smiling face of the man she'd killed.

"Why are you showing me this?"

"Read his file."

She set it down and slid it back toward him.

"I don't want to know."

"Well, you've got no choice, do you? It's here in my hot little hand and I'll read it to you myself."

"Spike--"

"Born August, 1957. Joined the British Army in 1976. Accepted into the SAS--that's the British version of Special Forces--in 1977. Spent some time in Northern Ireland."

He looked up at Dawn.

"Nasty bit of business, that was. Car bombings, sniper attacks, that sort of thing. Dirty little war. What else do we have here..."

"Spike, this makes no diff-"

"Action in the Falklands War, 1982. Those are some little islands off the coast of Argentina. Pretty brief little war, actually. British won with little difficulty. Apparently Huddleston--his unit was lead by that Martineau bloke Buffy and Faith spoke with yesterday--got into a spot of trouble. Committed some acts that didn't exactly fall in line with the soldier's honor code. You really don't want to know any specifics there, Bit. It so happened that he...stepped on the wrong toes over there in Argentina. There's a bunch of political rubbish that I won't bore you with. Point is, the government made it go away. Discharged the entire unit under Martineau and allowed them no benefits. After that, as far as the government knows they disappeared off the face of the earth."

Spike snorted and put the file down.

"That's a load of crap, o' course. The government knew damned well what they were doing, but it's not the sort of thing that makes files...even highly classified ones like this. Highly trained commandos who wanted to keep doing that job simply went to the highest bidder in those days. From Angola to Zimbabwe and a bunch of exciting places in between. Mercenary types."

Dawn sat next to Spike on the bed. Both were in a sitting position against the headboard, staring straight ahead.

"Fine, whatever. What's with the history lesson?"

"Just trying to make you understand, Bit. This man was a soldier for hire. Generally those types are not exactly angels. You wanna read specifics of the things he did in service to the Council? Got that too."

Dawn's voice was soft.

"Did he have any children?"

Spike looked at her then, saying nothing. She looked back at him, eyes questioning.

"Yes. He had two. A son and a daughter from a marriage that ended in 1981."

Dawn went back to staring at the far wall, her face betraying no emotion. Spike continued to look at her as he continued.

"You've never told me exactly what happened that night."

"I killed him. That exact enough?"

"Dawn."

She sighed heavily.

"Willow teleported me into the stadium. I did a locator spell to find Xander. I heard the men talking, so I tried to sneak a look around the corner."

Dawn hesitated, a faraway look in her eye.

"Go on."

"Give me a second."

He waited. Dawn seemed to be trying to find the words. So like his Buffy when she had something important to say.

"The guy--" she gestured at the file between them--"had a gun on Xander. Pointing it right between his eyes. There was no time to think. I just went in there. I didn't have a plan or anything...I just knew I had to do something."

"Ninety-nine percent of the creatures on this Earth would have turned and run, Nibblet. You do realize that?"

She just shrugged dismissively and continued.

"I never thought he would turn the gun on me. I understand how stupid that sounds looking back on it, but it just shocked me. It's all a blur from there. I dropped and rolled toward him without thinking. I remember hearing this sound--this whistling, whoosh like sound--then I jumped at him. I kneed him in the wrist to get the gun out of his hand, and the other guy came at me. I got lucky...I just stuck out an elbow and caught him in the head. He went right down, I think."

Dawn stopped again, swallowing hard. Spike spoke gently.

"At that point he was too close for you to punch or kick, so you went with the weapon you had. Right?"

"My first head butt. Hurts like Hell, by the way."

Spike couldn't help but smile a little.

"Anyway, he went right down and...."

Dawn's voice was breaking. William took her hand.

"I looked over and saw Xander. I mean, really saw him, you know? He was hurt so bad...and I remember having this insane urge to...to..."

"Kill the men who did that to him?"

She nodded, hand covering her mouth.

"You weren't alone. Everyone felt that way."

"Yeah, but I actually did it. I just didn't now it then. Anyway, I got Xander loose. You know, it's so stupid. I didn't even see him pick up the gun."

"Dawn, you saved Xander's life and protected your own. Wasn't like you had a choice."

She took her hand from his and rose from the bed, pacing.

"I did. I did have a choice. I could have kneed him in the groin or something. Instead, I went right for his head, and I killed him. I didn't even realize I did it. God, Spike, Xander was almost dead and HE knew I'd killed him. How stupid is that?"

"Dawn-"

"Buffy wouldn't have killed him."

Spike turned his body to face hers.

"What?"

"That's why she couldn't tell me. She had just told me she was proud of me the day before, and then I killed a guy. She has to be so disappointed in me."

"Where is this coming from?"

She slumped on the bed next to him, tears now freely running down her face.

"Buffy has been saving us for years, but she's always avoided hurting people."

He took her hand again, this time not allowing her to pull away from him.

"You listen to me. There is no way of knowing what Buffy would have done. I know one thing for certain: you had one second to act, and you defeated two grown men--one of whom had a bleeding gun in his hand--and saved Xander all by yourself. In case you've forgotten, you're an 18 year old woman without Slayer powers. You were amazing."

"But--

"No buts, little one. The last thing Buffy feels is disappointment. We should have told you--I admit that we were wrong to keep it from you--but it had nothing to do with how she feels about what you did."

"Spike...about earlier. I didn't mean to--"

"I didn't want this for you."

He was welling up as he continued.

"We're in a war now. We're in a war with regular everyday humans who just happen to want us off the face of the Earth. Wasn't our choice. We have to do pretty awful things to survive. Didn't want it for you, though. I wanted to keep you away from all that."

Her eyes widened.

"You weren't going to kill Travers, were you? Until you saw what I did?

Spike said nothing, taking a deep breath to regain his composure. He spoke softly.

"Not sure, really. Bad enough that he nearly killed Xander. I could have understood Xander killing the man. If anyone earned the right to kill another person, he had. When I saw what you had to do, though....I wanted it to end. You shouldn't have to live with that. You live with enough. Buffy too. Thought if I cut the head off the snake, the body'd die with it. Didn't like doin' it. Didn't work either, I suppose."

"If you had to do it over again, would you?"

He didn't say anything for almost a full minute, looking around the room as if he was searching for something.

"I might have had a different answer for you until today. Then the bloody cowards took a shot at you from across a street. Wouldn't even face a normal human girl. Too much, that. So yeah, if I could do it again, I would. Trust me when I tell you this: we're ending it this time, one way or the other. Your sister and I will see to that."

She put her arms around him, whispering.

"I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for, pet."

"You know what I mean."

They pulled apart. Spike reached out and gently wiped a tear from her cheek.

"So how did you know I'd be here, anyway?"

"I was sort of watching your room. It took me a couple of hours to work up the courage to some see you. I felt so bad about what I said and.."

"Enough of that. It's done."

She smiled at him. "Plus, I figured you might be watching your "Passions" tapes. You get all vampy when someone interrupts that. By the way, Buffy said something about you guys patrolling tonight."

He shrugged in an embarrassed manner.

"Sort of lost track of time. Got you as an alibi, though. If I tell her you and me sussed things out, she'll give me a free pass."

"You might want to catch her coming back. You might get some points for making the effort. Meeting in Willow's room in"--Dawn checked her watch--"an hour and fifteen minutes."

"Right, then. Good idea."

They rose and walked out the door together. Dawn squeezed his hand once more.

"See you in a little while?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

"William?"

He raised his eyebrows expectantly.

"Thank you."

He shook his head.

"If anything, I should be thanking you, little one. Cleared a few things up in my head, you did."

Exchanging one last smile, they turned and walked in opposite directions down the hall.

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

Faith stomped into Bellevue Hospital, a determined frown on her face. She mashed the button to take her to the 4th Floor, nearly breaking the plastic with her index finger.

The first thing she saw when the elevator door opened was Xander and Cordelia facing her with smiles on their faces. Seeing Faith's _expression, Xander's smile faded quickly.

"Everything ok?"

Her face was now an expressionless mask.

"Five by five. Goin' somewhere?"

Cordy smiled at Xander.

"He's checking out. We were on our way back to the hotel."

Faith's eyes slid toward Cordelia.

"I'll walk him back. I need a few minutes alone with him. You mind?"

Cordelia flashed her a cold look.

"Of course not."

She turned toward Xander as she changed places with Faith, her thousand watt smile in full effect.

"I'll see you later?"

"Sure. Thanks for keeping me company."

Cordelia's eyes met Faith once more as the elevator doors closed.

"Pleasure was all mine."

Faith briefly considered taking the stairs so she could meet Cordelia on the ground floor with a left hook, but managed to hold her aggression in check. She had another agenda. She took Xander's hand and walked him down the hallway.

"What's so important you had to get rid of Cordy? I think you might have hurt her feelings a little."

"She got off easy. I was about to hurt her a lot more than that. So you all checked out?"

"Yup. Signed my walking papers and everything."

"Those bruises clearing up?"

"Ummm...if you mean the ones I think you mean, yeah, they're better."

"Good. Say Xand, isn't it against hospital policy for you to be walking out under your own power?"

He quirked an eyebrow toward her.

"You mean I have to take a wheelchair ride or something? I think you've been watching too many old hospital TV shows--HEY!!"

Faith had moved in front of him quickly and slung him over her shoulder, gripping the back of his thighs firmly.

"Faith, put me down. This is embarrassing!! What is up with you?"

She said nothing, making a quick right turn and opening a door. He could only see Faith's rear end--a circumstance he would normally not complain about--when he found himself in darkness. She gently laid him on the floor. As Faith turned the light on he saw metal shelving with cleaning products, and a mop with a bucket in the corner.

"Faith, what are we doing here?"

She responded by whipping off her shirt and unsnapping her bra. All speech left Xander at that moment. She knelt over him and began unzipping his pants. He was finally able to whisper.

"Faith, what--"

She covered his lips with her finger, stretching herself out on top of him.

"I'm gonna show you the proper way to break in a broom closet."

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

Willow was headed back to the lobby when she decided she wanted some coffee. She turned back when a voice came from behind.

"Willow. Wait a moment!"

She spun on him.

"Spike, just shut up a minute. I think I know what you're going to say. Look, I realize seeing Angel is hard for you, because Buffy cares for him. She always will. He was her first love, and they have a lot in common. That doesn't mean that she isn't totally in love and committed to you. You are all she ever thinks about. I swear, you and Angel are, what, four centuries old combined and you can't understand human relationships by now? I've been giving relationship advice all over the place tonight, and apparently no one has noticed that everyone has someone but ME! Does anyone care about that? Noooo. Of course not. Everyone's all into screwing up their own perfectly healthy relationships with their stupid insecurities. You know what, Spike? I've had it. Get over it! Buffy is crazy for you. The only way it could possibly be otherwise is for you to act like an idiot whenever Angel is around."

She took a deep breath.

"Now, did I cover everything or was there anything else you wanted to say to me?"

Spike simply pointed down to the ground. She followed his gesture, frowning as he spoke.

"I just wanted to let you know your shoe is untied."

She peeked back up at him, head still down.

"Oh. Thanks."

She knelt down and fixed her laces, blushing furiously.

"Ok, I'm headed up to my room for the big meeting."

"I guess it is about that time. Too late to catch Buffy. I'll walk with you."

They made their way indoors toward the elevator. As they walked in and pressed the proper floor, Spike turned to her.

"You know, now that you mentioned Angel..."

Willow was pounding her head against the wall as the doors slid shut.

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

Xander was having trouble moving. Faith was smiling sweetly at him, lying at his side in the closet.

"Everything ok, big guy?"

"Ugh."

"I'll take that as a yes."

She stroked his hair lovingly while he got his breath back. It always took him a little longer than her to recover. These were her favorite moments.

"So we're clear, then?"

Xander managed to get actual words out.

"Clear about what?"

She shook her head and sighed.

"You men are so friggin dense right after you finish."

Rather than pursue the matter, he did the wisest thing.

"Sorry, honey."

"Aah, don't worry about it. C'mon, we gotta go."

"I can't stay here a while? You can't bring me an oxygen tank or something?"

"Suck it up, Xand. Better yet, get up and come with me to this meeting thing, and maybe I will later."

Xander scrambled to his feet as Faith laughed.

*******************One Hour Later**********************

Buffy was standing at the front of Willow's room, stomping her foot.

"You know, I had one simple request. I didn't think it would be that much to ask, but apparently no one really listened. Anyone want to try to make an excuse why I was left all alone in Central Park tonight?"

The extended Scooby Gang were all finding the bedspreads fascinating.

"No one has anything to say?"

Silence.

"Ok. Let me just say that I am very disappointed in all of you. Faith, I can expect. She ignores me all the time. Spike was probably watching his stupid "Passions" tapes."

He glanced up with a shrug, hoping a pouty look might win sympathy.

"Don't even think about tilting your head at me, William."

No such luck.

"More than anyone else, though, I expect more from you, Angel. You're the oldest."

He looked up.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I don't do a lot of patrolling. I thought everyone else would be there. I'm sure none of us would willingly put you in danger."

He looked around, seeing nods of agreement from Spike and Faith. Dawn was grinning at Spike's obvious discomfort.

"How many did you get, luv?"

Buffy's eyes narrowed.

"Does it matter?"

"Just curious."

"Yeah, B, you dust up a storm?"

The blonde Slayer stomped her foot again.

"I'm the one asking the questions!"

Angel looked at her sympathetically.

"Didn't see any, huh?"

Buffy looked down, now scuffing the carpet with her shoe.

"No. Same guys that tried to mug us after we teleported were there again, though. They took off running. Wussies."

Willow spoke up. "Can we get to the point of this meeting? Being that this is my room and all, and I'd like to go to bed before daylight?"

Buffy recognized Willow's businesslike tone.

"What do we know?"

The redhead's eyes met Wesley's before speaking.

"I've done some research into Council files, and Wesley did some digging with some sources within the organization. We worked separately from each other, and came up with the same conclusion. I looked in more detail just to make sure, and...."

Buffy held out her hands. "Well?"

"You need to read this for yourself."

Willow rose and handed a file to Buffy. The Slayer read for about one minute, then raised her head, eyes incredulous.

"You must be joking."

Willow and Wesley shook their heads.

"You're serious?"

They nodded. Spike lost patience.

"Good Lord, Buffy, how bad could it be? So far Xander's been kidnapped and tortured, the four of us had to teleport in here stark bloody naked. I almost got staked. Willow, Faith and you had to fight mirror images of yourselves, Xander went all catatonic and you had to get him out, and Dawn got shot at by a bloke that you very nearly threw out of a fourth story window. Just spit it out. What in Hell are we going to do now?"

Buffy closed her eyes tightly, ashamed to say it.

"We're going to Disney World."

- End Chapter Seventeen -