by Rob Sorenson

"Spike!"

"What?!"

"You know where the safety is on these things?"

"Who am I, James Bond?! I know how to punch, kick and bite! Used to be all I bloody needed!"

Spike and Angel were sprinting down Main Street USA, frantically trying to catch up to the final unit of Martineau's men, bearing down on what had once been Faith's position. As they turned a corner, they pulled up short as their quarry had slowed, now finding cover in the small street. The vampires ducked behind a kiosk that normally served as a place to buy sunglasses and T-shirts. Angel leaned over and whispered.

"I found it."

He indicated the firing mechanism on the M-16. Spike nodded his understanding and they prepared their weapons as silently as possible, though in the howling wind it really wasn't necessary to be all that stealthy. Angel leaned his head toward their right.

"Buffy's hidden behind that little freezer that holds the ice cream bars."

"I know where she is."

"Didn't know if you could pick up her scent in this wind."

Spike gave Angel a long stare. Angel couldn't hide a small grin.

"I did pick up her scent before anyone else, you know."

Spike forced down his urge to smack his Elder and grinned instead.

"That you did. I'm gonna pick it up last, though."

"Right, Ok, we've established Buffy's position."

"I've established a lot more of 'em than you."

He tossed Spike a withering look.

"I think you understand what I mean."

"Course I know what you mean. Just thought you had that coming, is all."

Angel sighed.

"As I was saying, we know where Buffy is. Can you pick up Faith?"

"I should think so. Might get Xander right pissed off, though."

"Remind me...were you this much of a comedian when you were evil?"

"Sure I was. Always left 'em screamin'."

"Could we possibly get back to business and cut the funny stuff? They do have machine guns, and Buffy and Faith are out there. Not exactly hilarious territory."

Spike smirked at him.

"I'm finding it rather funny, actually."

He indicated to the left with the barrel of his M-16.

"See how they're splitting up? Those two on the left are heading right for Faith's hiding place behind that busted up popcorn stand. The two on the right are moving straight for the freezer Buffy's sitting in. Must be gettin' cold in there, by the way."

"They probably turn it off."

"Right. Anyway, we can safely assume that they'll handle those four, leaving you and me the four goons standing still in the middle of the like they're the Queen's bloody guard or something. If I can work the sight on this thing I can send a couple of 'em flying before they can react."

"You were never much for guns."

"True enough. Gotta start gettin' into 'em, though. Man needs to learn to change with the times."

Spike took careful aim and fired. The shots went wide, blasting a life size Disney character statue to smithereens. Plaster flew everywhere as the four targets immediately ducked and covered, guns blazing as they moved.

"Oh, bollocks."

Spike and Angel ducked behind their shelter, watching specially designed UV resistant lenses shatter all around them.

"Some advice, Spike! Stick to punching and kicking!"

"Oh, come on! The wind got it!"

"The wind? The wind!? You were twenty yards away from the guy!"

The shooting stopped abruptly and both raised their eyebrows at one another. Moments later Buffy's voice called out.

"Thanks for running in to save us! That diversionary thing worked out really well!"

Together the two vampires slowly raised their heads, finding Faith busily tying up the unconscious men while Buffy appeared to be munching on something. They exchanged sheepish glances and walked toward them. Spike went first.

"Right. Gave those soldier boys quite a turn, didn't I?"

Faith spoke without looking up at him.

"Oh yeah." She looked over at the shards of plaster. "Nice shootin', Tex."

"Sod off. It worked, didn't it?"

Buffy smiled, chocolate on the corner of her lip.

"Yes it did, baby. Nice job." She held out her treat. "Want a bite of my Mickey-shaped ice cream sandwich?"

"I'll take a bite out of you."

"I believe I warned you about the teasing."

Buffy's smile faded as she looked at his shoulder and moved toward him quickly.

"You're hurt."

"Just a scratch. Be good as new in a day or so."

She turned to Angel, all levity out of her voice now.

"How's Wesley?"

The vampire shrugged and took a deep breath.

"I don't know. He lost a lot of blood. We can only pray Cordy got him to the hospital on time."

"Cordy? She's here?"

"She was, yeah. I should've known she wouldn't listen to reason."

Faith was next to them now, having helped herself to a pair of Donald-shaped dreamsicles; one to lick and one to hold against the cut on her cheek.

"Listen to reason. That sounds like guy talk for 'whatever you friggin' say goes'."

Angel looked uncomfortable. "Well...I was just trying to keep her safe."

Faith looked at him and softened her tone.

"Yeah, I know. I've been starting to figure that whole thing out. Anyone who hangs with us is gonna be in danger. That's just the deal, you know? So...I guess we have two choices: be alone our whole lives or be with someone and learn to trust them. I'm goin' with option two. I've done the alone thing long enough, and you know what? I ain't goin out like that. Not any more. Neither should you."

"Easier said than done."

Faith shrugged with a grin.

"Yeah well, redemption's a serious bitch and I'm hangin' with that, so what's one more thing, right?"

Angel motioned toward the cut on her face.

"You ok?"

"Yup. Just gonna stand here and let the healing begin."

Buffy frowned while taking her final bite of the creamy confection.

"Which one of you got Martineau?"

"Not me."

"I don't know what the bloke even looks like."

"Whoa, B...I figured you got him."

Xander's shaky voice came over their radios.

(Ummm...guys? I think we have a problem.)

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

Katzenbach stared down at the water with a dazed expression on his face. What could that be?

He'd spent the last three minutes in the bathroom, heaving with a strength he didn't know he still had. With no food in his stomach, little had actually been expelled outside of blood and saliva.

Until a moment ago. He looked for a little while longer with clinical fascination...then abruptly decided that he didn't want to know precisely what he'd coughed up.

It didn't matter any more. Nothing mattered.

Inge.

With a supreme effort of will he rose from his knees and staggered out of the executive washroom. He started a bit when he saw Willow there. She spoke softly.

"Do you want to lie down? There's a lounge down the hall that has a couch."

He responded in a ragged, phlegm-ridden voice.

"No..time. Come. You're in great danger."

The old Watcher managed to reach the door to the control room and held on to the knob in an effort to regain his balance. He failed, but Willow managed to help out enough for him to recover without collapsing. With a negligible effort at a smile of gratitude he lurched into the room, finding Dawn and Xander waiting expectantly. Seeing his difficulty, Xander rose and assisted him across the room to his chair.

"Thank you," Katzenbach wheezed.

"Just relax, ok?"

He shook his head determinedly.

"No. No."

He looked back up to the monitor which had once contained her face, its lens now only staring at a concrete passage in a tunnel.

"She will be coming. For me. You have to run."

Dawn frowned.

"Run? Who is this woman? I got a look at her; she couldn't be any
older than me."

Katzenbach's eyes cleared.

"She is thirty years older."

Silence reigned for a moment. Willow spoke the obvious.

"Vampire?"

He shook his head slowly.

"More than that. Much more. She was once..."

The coughing began again. Hans reached into his pocket for a handkerchief and put it over his mouth until the wheezing stopped. He let the cloth drop without bothering to conceal the dark red stain he'd left on it. Xander forced down his revulsion and waited. Clearly the man had more to say.

"There isn't time to explain everything. Buffy is aware of the story, but not...what she is now. I thought she was dead."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "If she looks that good at fifty years old, I'd say that's a reasonable theory."

"I meant--"

"He knows what you meant," Willow interrupted, giving Xander a look. "Please go on."

He hesitated a moment.

"I was her Watcher."

There was silence for nearly thirty seconds. Dawn took a deep breath and spoke.

"Ok...she's fairly young as vampires go, right?"

"Yes...but she's much more than a simple vampire. The power of the Chosen one remains within her."

Xander put up his hand.

"Hold up. Did you just say that she's still a Slayer? How can a
vampire be a Slayer?"

"Not THE Slayer. Not any more. However, when she rose again as one of the undead, she retained her supernatural gifts."

"So...she still has Slayer strength?"

"More than that. She has the combined strength, speed and
endurance of a Slayer and a vampire."

Willow frowned.

"Has this happened before?"

"Slayers have been turned several times in history, yes. Only one managed to roam freely for a brief period. This happened roughly twelve hundred years ago, not long after the Council itself was formed as we know it today."

He hesitated, eyes closed.

"Obviously, the Council considered it their top priority to hunt her down. This was done...eventually."

Xander's eyes narrowed.

"Why am I getting the feeling that asking for an explanation of the 'eventually' part is a bad idea?"

Katzenbach's eyes finally left the empty monitor and stared into Xander's.

"She eliminated four Slayers and fifty-three members of the Council before someone hit her with a crossbow while she fed. It took one month to do this. The incident is in the Chronicles, but never spoken of. Ever."

Dead silence reigned as Katzenbach listlessly indicated the screen where her face had appeared.

"I cannot begin to imagine how powerful one could become after nearly thirty years. I can only assume Travers made an attempt to harness that power. I cannot imagine why he would think this was possible. It was known that he had attempted certain scientific advances that were deemed unsafe. Clearly he continued that research without the Council's knowledge. It doesn't matter at the moment. What matters now is getting all of you out of here."

Dawn raised an eyebrow.

"Us? What about you?"

"It's me she wants...and it's obvious Inge knew I would be
watching."

"That's her name? Inge?"

He closed his eyes and looked down.

"It was."

Willow took his hand.

"We're not leaving you."

His eyes snapped back up.

"Are you not listening? She's coming here to kill me. Once I'm eliminated she'll kill anyone remotely associated with me if she can...but it's me she truly wants. If you run there is a chance she'll leave you alone."

Xander had turned away, staring out of the huge window that overlooked the massive ponds. He spoke without looking back.

"Dawn, did you see Martineau on any of the monitors?"

"No."

"You're sure." His statement a question.

"I think I would've remembered, Xander."

"Sorry. I'm just thinking...if this industrial strength vampire with special Slayer cleaning power is in those tunnels, it stands to reason that he'd be hanging with her."

Willow nodded in agreement. She asked Hans questions as gently as she could.

"She...was turned almost thirty years ago, you said?"

"Yes."

"If she's as dangerous as you say, why work for the Council? Wouldn't she just....kill them all?"

"I don't know...unless..."

Willow waited for him as he labored to concentrate.

"Unless there was a way to control her actions somehow."

Xander turned his head at that one. Dawn spoke as she exchanged glances with him and Willow.

"Like a chip?"

"Chip? Forgive me, I don't know what you mean by chip."

Willow briefly explained the technology. Moments later he nodded.

"Travers would have no qualms about such a thing."

"Yes, but in the 70's? That's way advanced."

"Is there another possible explanation?"

"Well...when you put it that way, I guess not. Ok, so we have an incredibly strong and fast demon under Martineau's control."

Dawn nodded. "SO not of the good."

Xander spoke in a trembling voice as he pointed outside toward the walkway.

"Just got worse."

Dawn and Willow quickly joined him at the window. Four stories below they saw Colonel Anthony Martineau slowly strutting down the walkway, fully armed, seemingly unconcerned about being seen. Near the entrance to the concrete path two large men were standing in the parking lot, their backs to the building. Xander nodded toward them.

"Covering his flank."

Katzenbach called out. "Inge?"

"No sign of her. Must be holding her in reserve somewhere."

Dawn glanced at Xander, indicating the radio with a nod. He nodded back and quickly resumed his position at the console, speaking with a nervous tone.

"Ummm, guys? We have a problem."

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

Buffy answered for them.

"Xander, what's wrong?"

(Martineau is headed our way.)

She glanced at the others as she spoke, forced to raise her voice against the ever-intensifying storm.

"Ok, stay calm! Help is coming! Xand, can you patch me through so we can all hear each other?!"

(I think so. Gimme a sec.)

Angel looked at the blonde Slayer.

"We need to get over there."

"I know."

She looked back at the tied-up squads and back to her companions.

"You guys go ahead. I'll catch up."

Spike, Faith and Angel took off without another word. For a blessed moment, the wind and rain slackened a bit, allowing her to speak normally.

(Buffy? Everyone should be able to hear you.)

"Good. Here's the deal. I have to stay and finish up with these soldier guys. As soon as I'm done, I'll be there. Everyone else is on their way. Until they get there, you do as Dawn says, ok? She's in charge. Dawn, can you hear me?"

(Yes), Dawn responded.

"Do you remember what I said before we left?"

(Of course. I got it.)

"Be careful. Just hang on until we get there."

(Buffy?)

"Hans? Is that you?"

(Yes. Your friends won't listen to me. Please, everyone has to get out while there is time.)

Buffy frowned at the radio.

"Isn't it a little late to make a run for it with Martineau already there?"

(Martineau is not the issue.)

Buffy frowned in confusion.

"What is?"

For a minute the Slayer thought she'd lost the connection since no one had responded. She tapped her receiver.

"Is this thing on? Hello?"

(It's Inge.)

Buffy's eyes widened.

"Did you say Inge?"

(Yes.)

"As in YOUR Inge?"

There was another moment's hesitation.

(Yes.)

"I thought you told me she was dead."

(I was led to believe that, obviously. She is here, and apparently under Martineau's control. Buffy, do you understand now? All of you need to get out of here. Please.)

Buffy spoke as gently as she could.

"You know we can't do that."

(Buffy, this is no ordinary vampire.)

"I know."

(What? How could you possibly--)

"One of my worst nightmares--one of any Slayer's worst--is being turned. A long time ago we had to deal with those nightmares in Sunnydale. The point is, after that happened Giles showed me the Chronicles that told of the turned
Slayer. I read how many she killed before someone caught her with a lucky crossbow shot. You know we can't run away from someone who is capable of that."

(She'll kill you. All of you.)

Buffy said nothing for a moment, then nodded as she responded.

"Maybe. One way or the other, we can't just leave. Martineau can't be allowed to walk with a force like that under his control. Do you know for sure she's coming?"

(She knows I'm here.)

Buffy hesitated a moment.

"Right. She'll want you."

(More than anyone else.)

"Which means she'll come out into the open. We won't get a better chance. If everyone works together, we can take her. Spike, can you guys hear me?"

(We hear you, luv. Angel and I never knew the exact story, but the Slayer that became a vampire is a legend among our kind. If this Inge is that kind of animal...)

"She's unbelievably dangerous. I'll get there as soon as I can."

(Right.)

"Hans?"

(Yes, I'm here.)

"I'm so sorry."

Xander responded after a moment.

(He's...not able to talk right now, Buff. Hurry, ok?)

"I will. Remember what I said. What Dawn says goes."

(Understood.)

Buffy hurried to the other tunnel exits to gather the bound soldiers.

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

Dawn Summers looked down at Martineau as Buffy was busy talking to Katzenbach. He was slowly but surely making his way toward the entrance, machine gun at the ready. The soldier's bearing and confidence were plain to see, even through the wind and rain that buffeted him as he walked. She turned to Willow.

"I need a refresher on something. Fast."

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

Faith was driving slower than usual, fighting the wind and slick roads.

"Xander, where do I turn?"

(As soon as you get past the Exxon station.)

She looked around. "Ok, I got it."

The Mustang turned sharply. Too sharply, in fact, as the car slid sideways off the road and clipped an oak tree before she could regain control. Xander's voice came wearily over the radio.

(We did take the collision coverage, right?)

"Not for my sodding head, we didn't. That hurt."

"Sorry, Blondie. Crisis and all. Ok, this must be it. Big honking fountains."

(Ok...I can barely see you through this rain. Just so you know, there's a welcoming committee. Two guys...pretty good sized. I can't tell from here whether they're human or not.)

Faith looked at her two companions.

"Let's go check."

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

Dawn addressed Willow and Xander.

"You two stay here with Hans."

Willow began to protest.

"Dawnie--"

The youngest Summers put up a hand.

"Hey. Buffy put me in charge. You do what I tell you. Under no circumstances will either one of you leave this room...no matter what happens. Is that clear?"

The old friends looked at each other, then back to Dawn, who stared at them with unblinking eyes. Finally Willow nodded.

"Ok. Be careful."

Dawn turned to go and stopped, speaking without facing them.

"I've never really got a chance to say this to you guys, but while Buffy was....gone..."

She cleared her throat.

"You meant everything to me. You still do. Thanks--"

Xander interrupted. "Hey."

She glanced back toward him.

"This sounds too much like some sort of goodbye thing. Not
happening. Ok?"

She gave a hint of a smile and nodded.

"Remember what I said. Stay here."

She opened the door and jogged down the hall to the elevator.

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

Buffy had lugged all thirty of the men into one place, directly in front of the shattered popcorn machine. After carefully searching and disarming each one, she bent all the gun barrels to render them inoperable. One finished, she began to pace in front of them, speaking loudly so that she could be heard by them all.

"You guys DO know that you're lucky to be alive, right?"

She looked a few of them in the eye before continuing.

"We could have killed you without breaking a sweat. Justifiably so, by the way. Considering you came after us with machine guns and all...but we let you live. Do you know why?"

She stopped.

"You're human, for one thing. I don't kill humans unless I have no other option...though you guys sure pushed me on that one. Secondly, I don't think you truly understood who you were dealing with. I'm willing to bet you do now.

I don't have time to stand here and babysit you guys. Your boss--who thoughtfully left you holding the bag, by the way--is going after my family. So I'm going to make a deal with you gentlemen. I'll say it once. Listen up."

Buffy lifted her chin slightly.

"I'm going to untie you. Once I do that, I expect every last one of you to get the Hell out of my sight as quickly as you can. I do not--I repeat DO NOT--want to see any of you again. Wherever you lived before you hooked up with the Council, go back there. If you were homeless, break out the 'will work for food' sign and dust it off. I honestly don't give a rat's ass. For safety's sake, however, avoid California. Allow me to explain why."

She slowly made eye contact with each man as she finished.

"That's where my family and I live. If I ever see any of your faces anywhere close to anyone that matters to me again, I'm going to break my rule...among other things. Trust me when I tell you that I have a very good memory for faces."

She slowly moved her eyes over each man before reaching down and snapping one cable, freeing two of them.

"You two get these other guys loose. I'm done."

She stood up straight once more.

"I hope everyone got that. As I said, I only planned on saying it once. If you ever listen to my voice again, it'll be the last thing you hear."

With that she turned and sprinted for the exit.

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

Martineau finally reached the glass door. Pointing his weapon to one side, he began to try the door when he heard the muffled voice of a young woman.

"Release."

The machine gun was ripped from his hand and flew high in the air, quickly followed by his service pistol, holster and all. He watched the guns travel in a graceful arc, landing in the center of the man-made lake with a gentle splash. He spun back and saw Dawn standing inches from him, separated by only a thin pane of glass. Shocked by her sudden appearance, he staggered back slightly, giving her the opportunity to move outside. She stood tall before him, clenching and unclenching her taped fists. Martineau regained his composure and smiled.

"Dawn Summers. How delightful it is to see you again."

"You know, I was kinda looking forward to seeing you too."

"Well then...it's good to know we're both happy. The witch help you with the guns?"

"Actually I did that."

"Congratulations, Dawn. You're quite the talented little wench, aren't you? What magic do you plan on using now?"

"That's it. I'm all tapped out what with the holograms and all."

"That was you also? My, my. Miss Rosenberg isn't as impressive as I'd been led to believe if she has to lean on a child like you."

"Miss Rosenberg is way more powerful than you can possibly understand."

"If you say so. Well then...here we are. I do hope you have a plan of some sort. This would be very little fun otherwise."

"I'm a Summers. We like to keep it simple. The spell evened out the odds a little, that's all."

She stepped forward.

"You've been hiding behind your guys for long enough, don't you think? You know, snipers and stuff sent to kill me. When a Summers woman has a problem, she stands right in front of you and deals with it. Buffy leads us into battle. You sit behind a desk and hide. The way I see it, you're a coward."

His smile ran away as his eyes burned into her.

"You murdered my best friend."

"Your best friend spent days torturing a man who is the closest thing to a big brother I'll ever have. Then he shot at me. I had no choice."

"Really, now? Well, Dawn...I'm going to make a choice. I choose to force your sister to helplessly watch your death, you little bitch."

She smiled at him, eyes becoming slits.

"Uh-oh. Someone just used the magic word. Now I absolutely MUST kick your sorry ass."

Martineau screamed and charged toward her.

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

Faith approached slowly, flanked by Angel and Spike. Peter and Paul Travers stood impassively before them, eerily backlit by the brilliantly shining fountains. The sheets of wind-swept rain descending upon them only served to heighten Faith's discomfort.

"Why do I have this itch that something isn't right?"

Angel briefly flicked his eyes toward her.

"I have the same feeling. They're being entirely too calm
considering there are three of us and two of them."

"That must be it. Oh, by the way? I'm gonna go with not human."

"Picking up on that."

Spike was peering beyond them, 150 yards distant.

"Who's that at the front door? I see two of 'em."

Faith squinted.

"Not sure. Too much rain, but one of them looks like Dawnie."

Spike's face darkened as he started to move more quickly, but Faith put a hand on his shoulder.

"Take it easy. One thing at a time."

"When did you get so bloody careful?"

"Right around the time I figured out that something is wrong with this picture. Where's the super powerful vamp-slash-Slayer chick?"

"Don't know. Don't care."

He tried to shake her off, but Faith held on tight.

"Spike, we'll get there, ok?"

"You want me to just stand here? I'm gonna help her!"

Faith summoned up her small reserve of patience and spoke quietly.

"No, I don't want you to stand here. I want you to help me kick these guys asses and be here when superbitch shows. Kinda doubting she took the night off."

The brunette Slayer nodded toward the front door.

"You need to trust our girl. Whoever that is, Dawnie can
hold him off until we get there."

Angel spoke up without looking to them.

"It's probably Martineau."

Faith nodded, eyes on Spike.

"Yeah, I was thinkin' the same thing. He might take her, but she'll give him the fight of his friggin' life...and that buys us some time."

Finally the blonde vampire grudgingly relented.

"Fine, then. Let's take out these two buggers while the math is in
our favor."

A voice spoke up from behind them.

"You may want to re-check your math."

Instinctively all three spun around and separated themselves as they lay their eyes on Inge for the first time.

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

Xander's eyes widened. "Whoa, check that out. Flying guns."

Willow sighed with relief. "Thank God. I worry about Dawn
remembering incantations sometimes."

They were standing at the huge window, watching the storm--still only at tropical depression strength--rage all around them. Having spent their entire lives in Southern California, neither Willow nor Xander had seen rain coming down sideways before. It was a hypnotic sight, accentuated by the artificial light provided by the artificial lakes. As the rain finally did make it's way to Earth, the crimson rocks gave the deluge a disquieting hue.

It looked like blood.

"She's here."

Katzenbach had slowly made his way to the window. He could feel himself fading now; his vision had always been perfect, even as he'd entered his sixties. Now everything had a murky quality to it, which was only exacerbated by the downpour.

Willow looked at him uncertainly.

"You can tell from here? I can't see very much."

"Yes. No one else I've ever known moves...like that."

The German cleared his throat. She's really here. My God...

Xander nodded his understanding as he looked out.

"I would've known that was Faith over there even if I hadn't talked to her. She has a certain...rhythm."

Willow cocked an eyebrow toward him, prompting a withering look.

"I didn't mean that kind of rhythm, Wills. Get your mind out of the gutter."

No one spoke for a moment.

"Though she does have plenty of rhythm in that area as well. Several different speeds, actually."

Willow held up a hand.

"Too much information."

"You're the one who brought it up."

Katzenbach interrupted gently.

"Excuse me, but this may not be the time."

Both friends fell silent. Hans hadn't known them long enough to understand. Xander pressed the crown of his head against the window, trying to catch a glimpse of Dawn in the front doorway.

"I can't see her."

Willow joined him. On another day, their appearance as they leaned against the window would have been comical.

Xander pointed. "Wait, Martineau's right there. I'll bet that spell
to send his guns flying freaked him out."

Willow remained silent. She'd known him so long, she could practically do a countdown before the inevitable happened. Five...

"Wills..."

Four.

"Look, I know what she said and all..."

Three.

"But this guy is seriously dangerous."

Two.

"I don't think we have a choice."

One.

"I'm going to go help her."

Willow had taken his arm before he finished.

"No. Xander, you can't."

"Why? I don't get it. What's the deal with us being stuck here?"

"Buffy wants us to stay safe up here for as long as possible."

"Yeah, I got that Wills. For what?"

"In case we lose."

Xander looked hard at her as she plowed on.

"We have to try and stop this storm."

"We'll need Buffy to do that too."

"Probably. But I think she at least wants us to have a chance, even if-"

"Don't say it."

Willow obliged him, having made her point. Xander shook his head.

"We need to help them."

"We did, Xander."

She looked at the sky, then to the monitors, and back to him.

"This is what we do. When it comes time for this--" Willow held up a clenched fist as she nodded down toward the walkway--"that's what they do. Our part of this is over."

"So we just watch? We watch and do nothing?"

Willow turned and walked away without responding. Some arguments just weren't worth repeating over and over.

"Willow."

She hadn't realized Katzenbach had moved away from the window. He had retaken his seat at the monitors, supporting himself with a hand on the console.

"Are you feeling ok?"

The German waved his free hand impatiently.

"That doesn't matter now. I have an idea...but I will need your help."

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

Dawn had anticipated Martineau's charge and dropped to one side, catching one of his feet between her own and holding on to prevent him from stopping himself. His momentum propelled him violently against the door, shattering it. Shards of razor sharp glass got caught in the wind, one of which caught Dawn in the forehead. She could feel blood beginning to trickle down...but it was nothing compared to the Britisher, who had leapt back to his feet out of sheer instinct. Dawn rolled away and stood quickly to face him.

He'd led with his face through the door, leaving it a bloody mess. There were lacerations in five places, the most dangerous of which was directly above his right eye. Now half blind, he staggered outside to meet his opponent. Dawn was now bouncing up and down, fists raised. Martineau approached more cautiously this time, slightly turned so that his clear eye could make out Dawn's movements.

She feinted to her left, then popped him with a jab directly on the cut over his eye, trying to open it up further. He attempted to counter with an overhand blow of his own, but she easily ducked it and danced away, flashing back to her training with Buffy.

You're strong, Dawnie, but a lot of times your opponent will be stronger. You have to create your own advantage. Be smarter. Be faster.

Martineau moved in again, dropping down to attempt a leg sweep. Dawn nimbly skipped over his sliding leg and took advantage of the opening, crunching an elbow into his temple. He grunted and fell hard to the concrete. Dawn took one step forward, then reconsidered and danced backward as he kick-flipped to his feet, still listening to Buffy in her head.

When I get one good shot, I just finish my opponents off. Spike and Faith are the same way. Here's the thing: you don't hit as hard as we do. It's going to take a lot more shots from you to weaken an opponent enough to put them away. You have to use something we don't: patience. If you go for the kill too early, you're opening yourself up.

Dawn circled, trying to stay on his blind side as much as possible. This time Martineau stayed back, having learned to be wary. Adjusting his approach, he motioned for her to come to him. She grinned evilly and spoke for the first time since he'd attacked.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? You don't look so hot."

"I've tasted my own blood before, little girl. I'm still standing."

"For now."

He sneered and moved in, his burning hatred overcoming his strategy. Dawn continued to avoid swing after swing, occasionally slipping in a jab, always to that same cut over his eye, opening it more and more. The swelling gradually increased, making it more and more difficult for him to see, even as the rain washed the blood away.

Then disaster struck.

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

Angel's eyes were flicking back and forth between Inge and the two identical humanoid demons, trying to prevent a blindside attack. The former Slayer smiled warmly as she began to speak.

"I do apologize for being late. All right, let me make sure I'm ready..."

She opened her hand and looked at her palm, glancing up as she continued.

"Perhaps I should explain. I may only kill when authorized by my superiors...and then only those whom they specify. My memory isn't what it once was, and there was no paper about, so..."

She took a longer look at her palm.

"Let's see now....I'm authorized to kill Faith, Spike, Angelus, Buffy Summers, Alexander Harris, Dawn Summers and Willow Ros...something."

She shrugged with a grin.

"I ran out of room, so I'm uncertain of that last one. Oh...I
didn't need to write down dear sweet Hans, of course. Him I can remember. Anyway, just to be certain, you would be Faith, Spike and Angelus, yes?"

Peter Travers spoke for the first time.

"Enough gamesmanship, Inge. We have our orders."

"I'm well aware of my orders, Peter. They don't include a time limit. I can take as long as I like to kill them."

"Inge..."

She was ignoring Peter, wincing in the distance

"Ouch! Tony just threw himself through a glass door. That really must sting."

She leaned toward her three enemies.

"Confidentially, I'm really wasting time in the hope of watching Tony take a few punches. Dawn Summers appears to be a very capable young woman. I'm impressed."

"Are you going to prattle on all sodding night or are we going to fight?"

Her eyes locked on to Spike's.

"I suppose it is about time. This rain does terrible things to my hair. First of all, let me be sporting."

Before anyone could react, she leaped into the air and neatly somersaulted over the top of Angel, Spike and Faith, landing squarely next to Peter and Paul and spinning back around to face her opponents.

"It really wasn't my intention to surround you. I don't need such advantages."

She rubbed her chin in mock thought.

"Now...who do I want to destroy first?"

Angel vamped out and charged her. She sighed, blocked two punch attempts and grasped his throat.

"I don't want you, darling. Not yet."

She flung him into the night. Angel landed hard, skidding and splashing all the way back to the parking lot some fifty feet away. Inge tilted her head slightly and regarded Spike with a grin.

"I want you."

Spike smiled back at her.

"Let's dance, then."

She slid her eyes to Peter and Paul.

"If it's not too much trouble, could you keep Faith and Angel warm for me while I play with this pretty one?"

The demons moved forward as Faith took a fighting stance.

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

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Willow, this is our only chance."

"I think you're underestimating what our side is capable of."

"I'm sorry to disagree, Willow, but you are the one doing the incorrect estimation. If you want proof, look for yourself."

Willow looked outside as Katzenbach indicated the window, catching a glimpse of Angel's unplanned flight. Xander, who'd been watching the entire time, felt his jaw drop.

"Holy shit."

The witch swallowed hard and turned back to the old Watcher. He stared at her with unblinking eyes.

"That is but the beginning. Please...this is the only way."

"I can't. I'm sorry, Hans, but there's no way I can do this."

"I'm not suggesting that you do it. I will do it myself."

Willow was struck dumb by this revelation. Xander was surprised enough to turn away from the brewing battle and address Katzenbach.

"You can do that?"

"I believe I can, yes. I don't mean to continually repeat myself, but it's our only option. At the very least, I must try."

Willow slowly shook her head.

"Doing this will kill you."

She got questioning expressions from both men until she added a word with a sigh.

"Faster."

Katzenbach smiled gently.

"Willow, I must tell you: at the moment that feels like a blessing."

She shook her head and began to pace around the room.

"We don't even have what we need to make this work...not here."

His eyes burned with intensity.

"But you have a way of getting what we require?"

She stared hard at him. "I know where one is, yes."

"We must act now if you wish to keep everyone alive. It's as simple as that."

Xander took a deep breath and addressed his best friend.

"Willow..."

She looked at him, and they held each other's gaze without a word. Finally she sighed and shook her head.

"I hate this."

She pulled out her cellphone and started to dial.

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

Things had been going so well, Dawn thought dazedly.

It had been another typical attack from Martineau: a feint to the left, followed by a left hook that Dawn would either skitter away from or duck so that she could pop him with yet another jab to the eyebrow before retreating.

This time, though, a stronger gust of wind than she'd ever felt before caused her foot to give way on the slippery surface of the walkway. Dawn showed remarkable balance just keeping her feet, but Martineau at last had an opening at close quarters. He took a quick step back and slammed his foot directly into the meat of her thigh.

He caught the target perfectly: the exact same area upon which she'd been cut the day before. Dawn screamed in pain and frantically tried to roll away, but Martineau, sensing a shift in momentum, pursued her vigorously. Before she had a chance to regain her feet he'd kicked the wounded leg two more times.

Martineau was lining up for a third swing when his own feet slid. In the moment it took for him to gather himself, Dawn, utilizing the strength of one good leg, flung herself into a painful tuck and roll maneuver--not to be recommended on concrete--and finally put enough distance between them to regain her footing.

He was smiling now as Dawn put all her weight on her good leg, hobbling back and forth.

"Silly little bitch. Can't even take a little pain, can you? Look at this eye. You mangled the Hell out of it, I'll grant you that...but I'm still here."

He moved forward quickly and set his feet as if he were going to launch another kick. Dawn turned her hip to avoid another onslaught on her injured leg, thereby leaving herself open. This time Martineau's left hook connected solidly with her jaw, sending her hard to the concrete. She didn't move for a moment, but screamed again as he kicked her unprotected leg three times with all the force he could muster.

He began to strut around, now enjoying himself immensely as she struggled to rise.

"What's wrong? Are you tired, little one? Do you want to cry for your mommy? Oh wait...she's dead, isn't she? I'm sorry... perhaps you should call for another member of your family. Oh...wait, sorry again. Your REAL family are a bunch of bloody monks, aren't they? They are of little use when it comes to the fighting, I'm afraid."

Dawn had reached her hands and knees when he viciously kicked the leg one more time, sending her face down to the concrete. He gave her an indulgent chuckle that she could barely hear through the wind. Gritting her teeth with effort, she rose again and began to crawl as fast as her body would let her.

This time, he waited for her to raise her head and yanked her off her knees by the hair, causing another screech of pain, and clamped his arm around her neck. She struggled and thrashed with all she had, but his superior strength was slowly wearing her down. Martineau, thoroughly enjoying himself at this stage, whispered conspiratorially in her ear.

"Oh yes...I love it when little girls struggle against me. Please continue."

Dawn felt herself slowly sinking into blackness.

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

Nope...definitely not human, Faith thought as she landed a full force blow to Peter's temple. He staggered backward, but didn't even hit the ground.

A human would've been dead in an instant. She kept after him, catching him with two more shots. Peter Travers was now in serious trouble as she prepared to leap on to his back and snap his neck.

Unfortunately, he had an identical twin demon. From behind her, Paul slammed his fist into her kidney.

"Augh!" Faith stumbled forward from the force on the blow, literally bouncing off the still-wobbly Peter. Paul grabbed her shoulder and hammered away at the same exact spot two more times. Faith cried out in agony and dropped to the concrete.

Shit. Now I'll be pissing blood for a week, she thought as she prepared to scramble to her feet, blocking out the pain. Before she could move, Paul kicked her in the ribs, knocking the wind out of her. Peter, now recovered from the brunette Slayer's onslaught, reached down and roughly grabbed her wrist.

"Paul! Take the other!"

His brother grabbed Faith's other wrist and the two demons engaged in a macabre tug of war, literally trying to rip her arms off. She screamed in horror and pain, and acted with total desperation, splitting her legs and catching them both in the crotch.

I hope this model of demon has his nuts in the traditional spot!

Luckily for her, they'd been created as anatomically correct as possible, and both men immediately released their grip and dropped to the ground rolling. Faith herself went down before she could get her feet back under her, but she simply did a neat Chinese split and slid herself back to a vertical base. She grimaced, rotating her shoulders and massaging her back for a second as the two demons began to make their way back up. Faith addressed them both with a snarl.

"Ok. Now you guys have really pissed me off."

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

Spike had never seen anything or anyone move this quickly in his life.

He'd attacked first, flying in with a drop kick. She caught his foot in midair and twisted, sending him spinning ingloriously down, where he'd landed awkwardly.

It wasn't as if this hadn't happened before; in fact Buffy had caught him and sent him reeling this way once or twice back in the bad old days.

When Buffy had done it, however, she'd at least used two hands. Spike rose and rushed her again, throwing a left hook that she allowed to catch her full in the mouth. Her head moved to one side for a moment before she turned back to him with a smile.

"That actually wasn't bad. You're a good fighter as vampires go."

"Hello? You're a vampire too."

"I'm actually a bit more."

"Bollocks. I'm not impressed. I've killed both vampires and a Slayer or two in my time."

"Did you ever do both at once?"

"If you mean killin' em, no. If you mean a different sense of the word 'do', well....Buffy wouldn't be much for that sort of thing."

Inge laughed.

"I like you, Spike. I wish I didn't have to make you suffer so much...but then, that's the job."

He braced himself. "Right then. Do your wor-"

She was behind him before he could finish the sentence, driving her knee into his lower back. He roared with pain and dropped involuntarily to his knees. Before he could finish reacting she already had him by the collar of his duster. He felt himself being propelled horizontally at inhuman speed just before his face was slammed into the railing that lined the walkway, shattering his nose and cheekbones. His vamp face instantly morphed back to a human one. She rolled him over and leaned down so that her whispering could be heard in the fierce wind.

"Never ask me to do my worst, Spike."

She hauled him up by the front of his jacket and threw him straight up into the air, catching the back of his knees on the way up. Inge leaned back, suspending him in mid-air for a moment before sending his lower back crashing down on top of the railing with terrifying force. She heard the delicious sound of crunching bones as his body formed an inverted U shape. Inge stepped away as he slowly slid into the water and sank motionlessly to the bottom, his own blood deepening the color of the rocks.

- End Chapter Twenty-Seven -