by Rob Sorenson

Xander smiled broadly as he opened the door.

"Hey guys. You’re here a little early."

He stepped aside and motioned them in. Wesley smiled slightly as they crossed the threshold.

"Still not inviting anyone in verbally, I see."

"Old habits. The girls are getting dressed, so I’m pulling host duty."

Cordy looked from left to right. "She’s still not here, right?"

Xander frowned in confusion. "Who do you…oh." He grinned. "No, she’s coming later."

"Good. I can give you a hug, then."

He chuckled as Cordy wrapped her arms around him. "Faith allows me to hug, you know."

"Not taking any chances."

Xander broke off the embrace with a grin, moving toward the kitchen. "So, you guys want something to drink? Little early for a beer, but Buff probably has some o.j….or I could make coffee."

Cordelia shrugged. "Orange juice sounds fine."

"Coming right up. Wes, you want anything?"

There was no answer. Xander raised an eyebrow, following Wesley’s gaze up the stairs.

"Wes? Something up there you want?"

"What? Oh! No…coffee would be fine, thank you."

Faith simply stared at Angel for a long moment after he finished. Finally she spoke softly.

"You realize you’re out of your mind, right?"

Angel responded evenly. "The circumstances-"

"I don’t give a rat’s ass about the circumstances," Faith interrupted, rising abruptly from the couch. "There’s no way in Hell I’m doing this."

"You have connections there we couldn’t even begin to-"

"I don’t have shit. The fact that you even say that makes it obvious you got no clue. Anybody I knew in that neighborhood is either dead or in prison."

Angel swallowed hard. "Ok, I admit I’m shooting in the dark here. Wasn’t my first option to come to you with this."

She paced the room, running her fingers through her hair.

"Yeah? Well, you better get some more ideas, ‘cause I ain’t going anywhere near that place."

The vampire held his hands up in defense. "Ok. I had to ask. Let’s just drop-"

"All the shit that went wrong for me started there."

"Faith, I said-"

"I want nothin’ to do with that life any more. I guess you haven’t even noticed how hard I’ve worked to leave it behind?"

Angel frowned slightly. "That’s not fair. I never said-"

"I’m not that girl any more, ok? Don’t need reminders."

"Could you allow me to finish a sentence, please?"

Faith spun to face him, eyes narrowed. "You think I should? Last time I let that happen you asked me to take a walk down the street where I gave head for money when I was 13. Tell you what: I’ll do it if you take a slow boat to Ireland and visit your parents’ graves."

There was a long silence. Faith took a deep, shaky breath and turned away again before speaking.

"Look, I-"

"I visit my parents’ graves all the time. I remember the looks on their faces when I killed them like it was yesterday. I have total recall of how much I got off on it. Their blood was literally on my hands, Faith. I look down at these same hands now, and I can reconstruct every pattern of those stains on my palms. You have no idea how much I wish I couldn’t do that...but I need it. I need it to remind me why I do this. You want to say I’m asking you to relive too much of your past, fine. Just don’t forget who you’re talking to."

He rose abruptly. Faith stepped toward him. "Angel…"

"Like I tried to say already, let’s just drop it. You made yourself pretty clear. I’m going to Buffy’s."

The vampire strode through the kitchen and into the garage, slamming the door behind him.

Dawn had no idea why she was so freaked; it wasn’t as if she and Wes weren’t comfortable with each other by now. Still, this was different. This was the first time they would be together in front of her whole family.

This was also the time when he wanted to make it official. That, to her mind, was a pretty freaksome occasion. She brushed her hair frantically, desperately trying to shoo away the rats that had taken residence overnight.

"Are you ok?"

Dawn jumped. "Jeez, Buffy! Don’t sneak up behind me like that!"

Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Bathroom door is open. Notice me standing in the hallway. Your definition of sneaky is quite broad."

"Just leave me alone for a minute, all right?"

"Dawn, what is up with you? You ran up here over an hour ago, and now you’re all…"

Buffy motioned frantically with her hands.

"I’m fine. Just pissed at my hair. I’ll be right down."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Let me look at it."

"No, that’s ok. I’ve got it."

The Slayer held out her hand. "Give it."

Dawn sighed, relinquishing the brush. Buffy carefully began to untangle things, smiling slightly at her little sister’s squeaks of pain.

"Stop whining. You want this fixed or not?"

Dawn closed her eyes. Despite the occasional pinpricks of agony, it had always soothed her when Buffy fussed over her hair. "No more whining. Promise."

"Whoa, this coming from Dawn Summers? Can I have that in blood?"

"Keep yanking on my hair like that and you’ll see blood soon enough."

Buffy chuckled. "Such a baby." She ran the brush through Dawn’s long dark tresses one more time, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "My work here is done."

Dawn opened her eyes, meeting Buffy’s in the mirror.

"Thanks."

"Don’t thank me. Just go. I only did that because I have to pee."

They shared a chuckle. "Whatever." Buffy took Dawn’s arm as she started to leave.

"Are you sure you’re ok? Is it our guests?"

Dawn felt a tightening in her stomach as Buffy continued.

"Did Cordelia say something to you when you were in LA? ‘Cause she can be pretty direct sometimes. Took me a while for me to learn she doesn’t mean to hurt your feelings, really."

Oh, thank God. Dawn shook her head. "Are you kidding? Cordy’s the coolest."

"Well, I wouldn’t go THAT far, but as long as nothing’s wrong..."

Dawn frowned as shouting emanated from downstairs. "Fighting already? That’s a speed record…even for our get-togethers."

Buffy shook her head with a smile. "No fighting. Just…go down and watch the show. It’s actually pretty entertaining."

"The show?"

"Beats the Iron Chef all to pieces."

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

"No, you stupid git, I said cumin! C-U-M-I-N!!"

Andrew cringed. "Don’t yell, ok? I don’t work well under pressure!"

Spike growled. "Just tell me if we have it."

"Yes, right here."

"Right then, that’s everything. Gotta make the dippin’ sauce first."

He held out his palm like a surgeon. "Half a cup of mayo."

"Check."

"2 teaspoons of ketchup."

"Check."

The vampire began to mix with one hand as he spoke.

"2 tablespoons cream-style horseradish."

"….Check."

Spike didn’t like Andrews hesitation at all. He paused, sniffing at the measuring spoon.

"This is mayo again!"

"I don’t like horseradish!"

"I don’t care what you like! Try to sabotage the sauce again and I’ll wring your spineless little neck!"

"Fine." He slathered the spicy cream on to the spoon and thrust it toward Spike, who growled.

"Getting’ on my last nerve, little boy."

Andrew turned away, sulking. "I have spine. SO not an invertebrate."

"What was that about inebriate?"

"That’s not what I-"

"Doesn’t matter what you said. Still the best idea you’ve come up with all day. Gimme a beer."

"Yes, sir."

"Don’t call me sir, for Christ’s sake."

"Yes…Your Bloodiness."

Spike took the bottle of beer and poured a bit of it into the sauce before taking a long pull. Andrew gasped.

"That’s not in the recipe!"

"Guess it is now, init?"

Cordy stared at them from outside, shaking her head.

"Are they going to keep it up all day?"

Xander grinned while tending to the grill.

"Andrew will if Spike takes his duster off."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Can’t believe I just said that."

Buffy moved quickly through the kitchen and joined them.

"I think I managed to get through the war zone without being spotted."

Cordy gave her a smile. "You might want to step in for Andrew’s sake."

"Nah. They’re a lot more fun like this."

"Give me the damned knife!"

"But I want to do something! What makes you think you’re so much better with sharp objects than I am?"

Spike merely stared at him. Andrew sighed. "Fine. I’ll never learn anything if you don’t allow me to spread my wings."

"Wings? Wings!! Bloody Hell, I forgot! XANDER!!"

"I’VE GOT THEM ALREADY!!"

"DON’T OVERCOOK ‘EM!!"

"YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN STUFF!! I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING!!"

"DON’T SCREW ‘EM UP, OR I’LL DO WHAT IT SAYS ON YOUR OVERGROWN BIB!!"

Xander looked at Buffy and Cordy in confusion. "What does that mean?"

Buffy pointed with a smirk. Xander looked down at the front of his "Kiss The Cook" apron.

Someone had replaced the ‘S’ letters with ‘L’.

"IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY?"

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

Wes tried to form words, but it was exceptionally difficult when he had an extra tongue in his mouth. Finally he managed to pull away.

"Dawn, it’s wonderful to see you as well, but…"

"They’re all busy. Plus they can’t see us while we’re in the living room."

"Yes, but we must be careful. I don’t wish to say anything until everyone has eaten."

Dawn nodded gravely. "Right. Buffy is much crankier on an empty stomach."

Wesley winced slightly. Dawn just had to kiss him again before speaking.

"I’m kidding, silly. Everything will be fine. Why don’t we just tell them now?"

"Not that I anticipate difficulties Dawn, but…I believe I overheard something about Spike and a sharp knife."

Dawn waited a beat. "Ok, we’ll wait until Angel gets here at least."

"I don’t recall Angel ever being a calming influence on Spike."

"Don’t mean it that way. Just thought we could get it all out of the way at once."

"Faith is coming as well, yes?"

She looked at her shoes, peeking up at him in a way that made Wesley’s heart flutter.

"Actually, she knows already."

His heart stopped fluttering. "I’m sorry?"

"I sort of…I had to tell someone, and I trust Faith. She doesn’t look at me as if I’m a little girl like everyone else."

"Yes, but Xander…"

"I made her swear not to tell. Faith keeps her word."

"Well…I suppose I shouldn’t judge, considering…"

"Considering what?"

"Angel knows as well."

"No way, really? Is he…ok with it?"

"Yes."

"Cool. So…it’s nice that you confided in him. I’m glad you guys are so close again."

"Actually…Dawn, is there a place where we can speak without being interrupted? There are some things we need to discuss."

She frowned. "The stuff you wouldn’t talk about on the phone."

"Yes."

"Ok, come with me." She led Wes by the hand, causing him to gaze anxiously as they moved within sight of the kitchen. Spike was delicately slicing into an onion with Andrew (wearing protective goggles) looking on in awe.

"Hey," Dawn said. "Are you coming or not?"

He started slightly when she began to ascend the stairs. "Where are we going?"

"To the one place where people know better than to bother me."

"Um…well…"

Dawn let go of his hand, placing her hands on her hips.

"Wesley Wyndham Pryce, are you afraid to come to my bedroom?"

He snorted slightly. "No, of course I’m… all right, perhaps a bit, yes."

She leaned toward him. "Fine. Stay here if you want. I’m going upstairs with or without you."

Dawn turned away with a smirk, marching slowly upward. Wesley swallowed hard before following.

**********Los Angeles, Crenshaw District ***********

"Charles, slow down!!"

Fred clung to the safety handle as Gunn took the corner at 40 miles per hour, nearly sideswiping an oncoming GTO. Paying no heed to the screaming threats, he floored the accelerator, resuming the breakneck pace, managing to find a word for his girlfriend.

"Can’t."

Fred let it be, hearing the panic in his voice. "How much longer?"

"Almost there."

Rondell had barely been able to speak when Gunn got the call. He’d only managed to croak out his location before fading out. What scared Gunn most was the connection had never broken.

It was as if Rondell had simply…

He pressed even harder on the gas. He’s fine. Just messin’ with me. That’s gotta be it. Please, God…

After what seemed like forever to both, the vehicle screeched to a stop at the crew’s old headquarters on the corner of Victoria and Westmount. Gunn was nearly out of the pickup truck as he put it in park, quickly grabbing a stake and crossbow from the bed as he spoke to Fred in a rush.

"You stay here."

"Don’t be ridiculous. I’m backing you up."

"I don’t have time to argue with you! I’ll holler when I know it’s clear in there."

Before she could protest further he ran through the front door. Growling with frustration, she got out to follow him…and stopped.

There was a long, uneven trail of blood leading up to the entrance. Without thinking twice she called 911.

Inside the building, Gunn had also stopped in his tracks. Rondell lay in the middle of the room, clutching at his stomach. Blood was pooled all around him. Rousing himself, Gunn rushed to his side.

"Rondell! Oh, Jesus…"

His old second-in-command summoned up a weak smile. "Y-you made it. Cool."

"Let me look at you."

"Don’t think I’m going anywhere."

Gunn closed his eyes after inspecting the wound. Rondell moaned in pain before speaking.

"That bad, huh?"

"We need to…FRED!"

"It’s done," she said softly from behind him. He turned, seeing her holding up the phone. He turned back to Rondell, nodding vigorously.

"Ok, man, you’re gonna be straight real soon. We called 911…just hang in there, ok? Stay with me, soldier."

When Rondell chuckled, it turned into a wheeze, propelling blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah. W-we know how fast they respond around here, right?"

Gunn had no answer to that…in truth, he’d known since he saw Rondell for the first time it wasn’t going to matter. He yanked off his sweater, placing it under the head of his oldest friend.

"Just a matter of time. Right? Can only do this job so long before…" Rondell trailed off, coughing up more blood.

"Hey, talk to me."

"Kinda hurts…to…."

"I know, but you gotta hang with me, all right?"

Rondell’s head lolled to one side. "You know better, man."

Gunn said nothing. His friend reached up to take his hand, smearing him with blood as he continued in a strained whisper.

"R…Royal."

Gunn shook his head. "What? What are you saying?"

Tears came ran from the corners of Rondell’s eyes. "Sorry…"

"Don’t be sorry. Nothing to be sorry for."

"No…sorry…’Lesha..."

Gunn leaned in close. "She’s going to be taken care of. I got that, ok? You understand?"

Rondell was fading fast, his lips barely able to form words.

"You and me…took some down…with us, right?"

Gunn nodded, unable to speak. Rondell squeezed his hand as he died, vacant eyes staring at his old crew leader.

Charles Gunn would always feel like there was a hint of accusation in those eyes.

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

Willow was visibly shuddering. It can’t be. There’s no way…

"H-how? I don’t under-"

Tara’s form seemed to glow brighter when she spoke.

"It’s all right, honey. Everything’s all right."

Fresh tears sprang from Willow’s widened eyes. Tara smiled.

"I’m here to help you. There are things happening that you need to know about."

Willow couldn’t respond outside of shaking her head.

"Come with me," Tara said, reaching out. Willow stared for a moment…then lifted a hand. She gasped when her hand felt the radiating heat.

"You….you’re alive," she whispered hoarsely.

Tara slowly shook her head. "Not for very long. Baby, I have to warn you of what’s coming."

She pulled gently, and they walked among the headstones. Well, Willow walked; Tara gave the appearance of floating along, still slightly glowing.

"What did you mean by not very long?"

"I begged to be allowed to visit you. Things are happening, Willow…everyone is in terrible danger."

"Danger? What kind of danger? Is the Hellmouth becoming active again?"

"No. There is no danger for you here. That’s why I had to tell you."

Willow stopped in her tracks, beginning to sob again. "Oh, God…Tara, I’m sorry. This is so much…I guess I don’t understand."

Tara touched Willow’s cheek tenderly, sending chills up her spine.

"I know, honey. I realize what you must be feeling…it means so much for me to see you too, but we don’t have much time. Please let me finish, ok?"

Willow swallowed hard and nodded. Tara took a deep breath.

"The danger is in Los Angeles. Terrible things are going to happen."

"What…what kind of things?"

"Death. Slow, painful death. People you love are going to be killed very soon."

"In…in Los Angeles?"

"Yes. Everything is going to lead to there."

Willow took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.

"Ok, getting myself together here. What do you mean by everything?"

"Events are in motion, Willow. Plans have gone into effect. Eventually everyone will be drawn into the trap."

"Trap? What kind of trap? Tara, who are we up against?"

"I’ve said all I can."

Tara took her hand from Willow’s and turned away. The redhead followed.

"Tara, wait! You can’t just leave now. You came to help me, but I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me. Please…who is going to kill the people I love?"

Slowly Tara turned back, gazing at Willow with unblinking eyes.

"You are."

- End Chapter Eleven -