Trust

by Rob Sorenson

Chapter Twenty-nine

Cordelia rubbed her eyes with one hand while punching her thumb against the power button of her monitor with the other.

“I’m getting nowhere fast. Wait, let’s be honest: I passed nowhere fifteen search engines back.”

Willow pulled her chair next to Cordy’s, while Buffy chose the seat across from Angel’s desk.

“No joy?” Buffy said.

“Zip. Absolute zero.”

“Not even a glimmer?” Willow asked. Cordelia simply shook her head glumly. “I’ve been there. Happens to everyone.”

Cordy squinted in suspicion. “That better not be condescension from Miss Research 1999. I happen to be pretty good at this.”

Willow patted her hand soothingly. “No one said you weren’t. Though in the interest of accuracy, I was the reigning Miss Research from ’97 through ’02.”

“At least.” Buffy chimed in.

Cordelia leaned back in her chair. “Nothing fits together, dammit! Just random bits and pieces that don’t add up to anything.”

“It is odd.” Buffy nodded her agreement.

“Tell me about it.”

“Oh…by the way?”

“Uh-huh?”

“What the hell are we talking about?”

Cordy huffed. “Hello? I’m trying to figure out what this whole Drusilla angle is. What, you thought that would just work itself out? Some of us have no clue what we’re supposed to be doing while you two fight to save the universe.”

“I hear it’s actually three,” Faith corrected as she entered the room, holding up a six-pack. “Brew?”

Willow and Buffy declined, but Cordy shrugged and nodded. “Might as well.”

“You drink beer?” Willow asked in surprise.

“When it’s a good time for it. Well, that, and if I don’t get one now, Faith will suck them all down in the next thirty minutes.”

Faith managed a weak grin as she tossed one across the small office, which Cordelia snagged neatly. “Naah…not these. This is the expensive sippin’ shit.”

Buffy frowned. “It’s Miller High Life.”

“And?”

Willow cleared her throat. “Cordy was just about to tell us the results of her research.”

“Nooo…I already DID tell you. Keep up. I found precisely jack.”

“Oh, God.” Willow smacked her forehead. “Jack. I am SO dead...You know what? Maybe I should take that beer after all.”

Faith reached for one, but Willow stilled her. “I was kidding. Bad for the baby.”

There was a momentary silence.

“Right. Makes sense. So…what’s up, Red? You’re even paler than usual.”

“It’s not important. Well…at least not right this second.” She decided to change the subject. “Cordy, what specifically were you researching?”

“I was trying to find a connection between the Gem of Amara and staples. It seems logical they’re both related somehow. Staples is the only clue you got from Jimmy Two-Balls, or whatever his name is, right?”

Faith nearly spit out a mouthful of beer as Buffy nodded agreement. “Pretty much.”

Willow nodded. “Not much to go on.”

“Exactly. We need to know what the plan is with Drusilla and her merry band of undead ho's. Seems to me we should work on stopping that while you three-“ Cordy gave Faith a glance “-are busy doing whatever it is you’re supposed to do.”

Buffy nodded firmly. “Ok, then. We can all pitch in.”

Faith sat up in her chair. “Sure, Cord. What do you need?”

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “You two doing research? Yes, that IS just what I need. While we’re at it, let’s call Michael Moore in for some fashion tips.”

“Down, Cordelia,” Angel said with a slight smile as he entered. “People just want to help.”

Cordy sighed. “I get that…just used to getting it from Fred.” The little office fell silent. Willow noticed Buffy tense visibly as she spoke.

“Any word?”

Cordelia shook her head. “Not yet.”

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

“Are we there yet?”

“You aren’t seriously asking me that, are you?”

“Kind of. I feel like a sardine.” Fred whispered.

“Luckily you don’t smell like one. This is hard enough.”

Dawn and Fred had slithered into the air vent with little difficulty. It was actually moving forward within it that made things difficult; luckily the soles of their shoes provided enough traction for both to gain some purchase against the steel siding. Still, it had been slow going, and both were beginning to feel distinctly uncomfortable.

“To answer your question, we’re close. I can see it.”

Fred ceased talking, choosing to close her eyes and focus on something other than the feeling of being swallowed up by the walls. She’d told the truth before when she said claustrophobia wasn’t an issue, but to her that had meant elevators and closets.

This was like a coffin, minus the frilly decorations and satin pillow. Just cold, unforgiving metal on all sides.

Cut it out, Fred. It’s an air vent, nothing more. Just a conduit providing refreshing coolness in the summer months and comforting warmth in the winter. Not that heat is often required in southern California…

In Quortoth, the chill at night could be as oppressive as those she’d been forced to serve. Icy gusts would slice into her skin, rendering her makeshift bed of straw useless. Out of self-preservation, she’d cautiously cuddled up to the animals of that world, sleeping with one eye open in case they decided her presence was unwelcome.

In comparison, crawling though a vent shouldn’t be so bad.

Imagine when hot air comes blowing through. Then these metal walls would burn your flesh, like being cremated alive-

“How much further!?”

Dawn spoke softly.

“Just another few seconds, Fred. Hang in there.”

“I’m sorry. Really trying…”

“You’re doing great.”

“Do I sound panicky?”

“Don’t feel bad, I’m not exactly peachy up here. Next time you go first.”

The youngest Summers girl stuck the end of her penlight in her mouth, pointing it against the metal grating that faced Lilah’s office. After running her hands against it experimentally, she realized it would take some work to break it loose.

“Ok, we’re here.”

“Thank God.”

With considerable effort, Dawn managed to slide her hand between her body and the wall of the vent, retrieving the screwdriver from her belt. Once she managed to get it in front of her, she placed the pointy end against the side of the grate and pushed.

Nothing happened.

“Shit.”

“Shit? No…no shit, please. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing major. Relax. Just a little hassle getting the door open.”

Gritting her teeth, Dawn thumped the heel of her hand against the tool, managing to drive a wedge through.

“How’s it going?” Fred’s voice was tight.

“Almost there.”

Dawn worked the screwdriver back and forth, attempting to pry a larger opening with little success. After a frustrating minute of this, she sighed heavily.

“Screw it. Fred? I need you to scoot back.”

“Back?! As in back further in?!”

“Just a few feet. I’m going to try to punch my way through, and that might knock me back a little.”

“Ok. I can do that.”

Dawn listened to Fred shimmying back awkwardly for a few moments.

“That should be good enough. Just pay attention in case I’m wrong, ok? I don’t want to give you a faceful of shoe.”

“No arguments back here. Ready when you are.”

Dawn felt her way along the edges of the grate, searching for weak spots. This one looks rusty. She closed her eyes, pressing the heels of her hands against the metal.

Ok, Dawn. Focus…focus your energy…

The thump echoed in the little chamber as Dawn was propelled back into Fred. Luckily, she’d put her hands in front of her face to block any possible impact.

A moment passed…

“OW!!”

“Dawn, are you ok?”

“Yes…jeez, that hurt. You?”

“I’ll be fine if you tell me we’re about to get out.”

Dawn took a peek. “Well…um…we are definitely getting out.”

“Oh, thank God.”

“Just not right this second.”

Dawn winced at the sound Fred’s head made as it thumped against the vent.

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

Riley watched the monitors from his perch in the security office; guards were milling around nervously. It was only a matter of time before he’d be discovered. Finally, one of them appeared to be making a call on his radio.

(Sergeant Jenkins, come in!)

The gagged guard struggled against his bonds as Riley plucked the communications unit from his belt, placing his fingers over the speaker to muffle his voice.

“Erin? Tryin’ to eat here. What’s up?”

(We’ve got serious problems sir! Reynolds has been knocked cold, and the main alarm is off line!)

“What?! How the HELL did that happen?!”

(We don’t know just yet…sir, are you all right?)

“Of course I’m not all right, dumbass! I’ll see if I can get us back on line. The rest of you fan out and check every office from the ground up!”

(Ummm…sir, normal procedure dictates we check out the tenth floor first-)

“Just do what I tell you! I’ll take care of Miss Morgan’s office personally!”

(Yes, sir.)

Riley set the radio aside, taking a deep breath. Can’t hold ‘em much longer.

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

“Did you even make a dent in it?”

Dawn examined the corners with her penlight. “Actually, yeah.” She inched forward. “Get ready to back up again.”

“I never moved forward. Punch it already.”

Dawn slammed her hands into the grate again. “OW!”

“I don’t hear anything clanging down to the floor.”

“Yeah…good reason for that. Crap, I’m bleeding.”

“How bad?” Fred’s voice was tinged with concern.

“Nothing I haven’t seen before. Scraped my hand against a screw.”

“So…do we have a Plan B that does NOT involve me going backwards in this thing?”

Dawn said nothing for a moment, chewing her lip in thought. “I’m willing to hear ideas.”

“What about an alternate route? Coming out of a different office and risking the hallway?”

“I thought you didn’t want to go backwards?”

“It was only about thirty feet back. THAT I can probably handle.”

“No…we have to assume there isn’t time…and there’s no guarantee they aren’t all this hard to open. Moreover, I’d be amazed if her door isn’t locked.”

“Right. Ok, I’m spent. How about you?”

“I have a thought, actually. Just not sure it’ll work.” Dawn peered at the side of the vent, judging the width. “I almost got it last time. If only I had a little help…”

There was a moment of silence as Fred followed Dawn’s line of reasoning.

“That’d be awfully snug.”

“I think we could do it. Might be our best chance.”

Fred sighed heavily. “See, I told you I shouldn’t have had dinner with Charles.”

Dawn chuckled slightly. “We’ll suck it up.”

“Funny.”

“I’ve flattened myself as much as I can. See if you have enough room.”

Fred braced herself against Dawn’s feet and went to work. After a long minute, her face had reached Dawn’s thighs.

“Ok, you move down, I move up. Almost there.”

Finally, Dawn and Fred were face to face inside the vent, their bodies pressed tightly together.

“We did it.” Dawn’s voice was slightly strained.

“Uh-huh. This is sort of…um…”

“You think? I can now officially confirm you had Italian tonight.”

“Sorry.”

“No big. I’ll know I have your breath to back me up if we run into vamps. So…wanna get this done?”

Fred glanced at the grate. “Right. We have pressing matters to attend to.”

Dawn squinted. “Hey. The Summers women do the punning around here.”

They shared a grin while placing their hands against the metal.

“Ok now…close your eyes and concentrate. Let all your emotions build inside. Use everything; your anger, fear and joy are all in harmony right now. Working together to strike one blow-“

“Dawn?”

“Yes?”

“How about if you do that whole martial arts thing, while I just hit the bejeezus out of it?”

There was a hesitation. “Ok, that’s fair. When I count to three?”

Fred nodded. Dawn took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“One…two…THREE!”

The grating flew inward, crashing against Lilah’s desk.

“YES!! And OW!!”

“We did it!”

“Wow, Fred! You hit pretty hard.”

“Thanks. Desperate. Can we get out of here now?”

“Yeah. Here, let me go first. That way I can help you down.”

Dawn reached around and pressed against the wall, leaving a smear of blood behind as she made her way out. She reached for the desk, hoping it would break her fall…

“Ah! Ah! Dawn…”

“What?! Upside down here!”

“Hair…caught in your tool belt!”

“Oh, Jeez. Sorry. Hang on…let me see if I can reach it…”

“Yes…please…owie owie owie…”

“Ok, I got-OOF!” Dawn fell hard.

“Are you ok?”

Dawn’s voice was muffled slightly against Lilah’s carpeted floor.

“Don’t be silly. The important thing is, how’s your hair?”

“Sorry.”

Dawn waved a hand as she rolled to her feet. “I’m good. Ok, your turn. Just slide out, and I’ll catch you.”

Fred raised a doubtful eyebrow, which caused Dawn to squint.

“I can bench press my own body weight, Fred…and I weigh more than you. Trust me-OOF!”

They landed together in a heap.

“A…little…warning would’ve been nice.”

“You said…to trust you.”

“Right. Ok, you can get off me now. Computer’s over there.”

Fred groaned slightly as she got to her feet and limped over to Lilah’s desktop.

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

(Sergeant Jenkins?)

“Go ahead.” Riley responded tersely.

(Floors one through five clear. Any progress on getting the system back on line?)

“Should be any time now. You’ll hear from me.”

(Yes, sir.)

Riley turned to his captive. “Forgive the expression, but I think it’s past time I got into your pants.”

The guard’s eyes widened as Riley unzipped him.

“You wouldn’t happen to wear size 32 in the waist?” After a momentary struggle, Riley grabbed the pistol that rested on the control panel and held it against the guard’s head.

“Hold still, would you? In a little bit of a rush here.”

The guard stopped fighting, allowing Riley to finish the job. He sighed as he checked the label. The first pair had been too loose; these were one size too tight.

No time to wait for just right, I guess.

He slipped them over his boxers, wincing slightly as they dug into his hips. After a Herculean effort, he managed to zip them up – thankfully without incident – and walked awkwardly toward the radio.

Probably won’t even have to disguise my voice now.

“Jenkins to Erin?” He said in a slightly strained voice.

(Go ahead, sir.)

Riley watched the monitor, seeing the auto-response team from the alarm company arrive. Right on time.

“Alarm should be back on line in five minutes. Discontinue room to room search.”

(But sir…we haven’t-)

“Erin, I checked Miss Morgan’s office. It’s clear.”

(Right. Erin out.)

“Wait a second.”

(Yes, sir?)

“You did good work tonight, Erin. Maybe…” Riley gave the guard a glance. “Maybe you’d like to have a cup of coffee with me when this shift is over?”

(Umm…sure. I’d like that, sir.)

“Good. Waffle House on me. Sound good?”

There was a momentary hesitation.

(Absolutely).

“Jenkins out.”

Riley put the radio back on the console and holstered the pistol. He gave the real Jenkins a slight smile.

“Consider that payment for the pants. I hope you don’t have a wife at home.”

The guard thrashed so hard he banged his head against the wall. Riley winced as he slipped out the door.

“Guess you do.”

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

Dawn peered at the screen. “You in?”

“Not yet.” Fred’s fingers were flying over the keyboard. “Encryptions and firewalls and passwords.”

“Oh my.”

“Exactly.” Fred glanced to one side. “Could you not hover quite so much?”

Dawn scowled, but did as she was asked, choosing to put her ear to the office door.

“We’re already behind as it is.”

“Yes, please put a little more pressure on me. Thanks.”

Both fell silent. Dawn began to feel increasingly nervous as her internal clock ticked away.

“Fred, I’m sorry, but I have to ask-“

“Getting there,” she responded tersely. “Pulling up Lilah’s instant messaging system.”

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

Cordy jumped slightly when her computer made a pinging sound. Quickly she turned her monitor back on. After reading the instant message, she couldn’t help but smile.

“There’s something I thought I’d never see.”

On the screen it read:

Lilah Morgan invites you to be on his/her Buddy List. Do you accept?

“They’re in!” She cried out, eliciting several chair scrapes and footsteps from the front desk.

As one might expect, Buffy got there first.

“Are they ok?”

“I’ll ask.” Cordy typed the question quickly; within seconds Fred responded:

“Fine. Still working on accessing Lilah’s personal docs. Stand by.”

All occupants in Angel’s little office let out a breath.

“She’s way behind schedule.” Willow commented nervously.

Cordy raised an eyebrow. “I doubt she needs to be reminded of that.”

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

“Holy crap! Check out Lilah’s Buddy List!” Dawn’s jaw dropped.

“Little busy right now.”

“Yes, but…I want some of these people’s autographs.”

“If they’re in here, you may want to re-think that.”

“Can we print this?”

Fred clicked her mouse. “Done.”

Thirty seconds later, Dawn ran her finger down sheet.

“Who’s Karl Rove?”

“You don’t want to know. Ok, almost into her personal files…”

An incoming message popped up on the screen.

Buffy wants to know if you’re both sure about being ok. As if you wouldn’t know.

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

“You didn’t have to ask her like that.”

“They’re adults, Buffy.”

Buffy, stop Mom-ing. We’re in a hurry.

Willow grinned. “I think we’ve had a change at the keyboard.”

Oh, and before I forget…Willow? I see frogs in your future. Lots…and lots…of frogs.

Buffy nodded. “Yup, that’s her.”

“I am SO dead.”

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

Fred clenched a fist. “Yes! I’m in!”

“Go, Fred, go!”

Dawn continued to scroll down the list of names.

Jimmy Royal

Well, if we weren’t sure before, there’s the link to prove it. You’d think she’d make this stuff harder to find.

“Wasn’t expecting me,” Dawn said aloud with a grin.

“What?”

“Nothing. How are things coming?”

Fred leaned back in her chair. “Slowly. I cannot believe they wouldn’t have a T1 line in an office building of this size.”

Dawn took a deep breath as her finger reached an all too familiar name:

Wesley Wyndham-Pryce

“Fred, can we delete stuff too?”

Fred looked at Dawn blankly. “I guess. What did you have in mind?”

“It’s not important. Still waiting on the download?”

“Seventy percent done.”

“Ok, I think we’re actually ahead now. Great job-“

Dawn stopped abruptly, visibly stiffening. When she spoke, her voice was eerily quiet.

“Fred, we have to go.”

“Almost there. Eighty-“

“Forget it! We’re done!”

Fred looked up, her expression betraying annoyance mixed with alarm.

“After all this? We’re right on the edge of-“

Dawn tossed the paper on the desk as she headed for the door.

“Just under Wesley.”

Fred sped her way down the list of names…then stopped short.

Jack Treadway

“Oh, God.”

At that moment, the pounding of footsteps could be heard from the outside.

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

Buffy was starting to feel edgy. “They haven’t sent any messages for a while now.”

“Fred can’t search through files and type messages at the same time.” Willow touched Buffy’s arm. “We’ll hear from them soon.”

The Slayer shook her head. “Something’s wrong.”

Cordelia sighed theatrically. “Buffy, just chill-“ She broke off her rebuke, suddenly collapsing against the back of the chair. From across the office, Faith stood quickly.

“Cordy? What’s-“

Angel had practically flown past the brunette Slayer as he hustled into the office, kneeling in front of Cordelia. “What do you see?” He said softly.

Cordy was breathing heavily, eyes squinted shut. “Demons with spiky heads…four or five, I think. They’re big…lots of teeth. Swords…Japanese katanas.”

Buffy gave Faith a glance. She shrugged. “Lots of ‘em come to mind. Angel?”

“Cordy, can you give us any more detail?”

She shook her head slowly. “No…wait, did I say they were butt-ugly?” She shivered.

Angel stroked her hand. “How about location?”

“It’s…familiar somehow. I think I’ve seen this place…” Her eyes snapped open. “Oh, no.”

Acid flooded into Buffy’s stomach. Even before Cordy said it, she somehow just knew.

“They’re heading toward Lilah’s office!!”

Willow spun back, facing the monitor. There were ten words typed on the screen:

The building. Not the office supply. We have trouble here.

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

Dawn barely contained a scream of terror when she heard the first loud BANG against the door.

“Fred! We need to go! Come on!!”

Fred held up a finger. “They finally accepted the outgoing file. I was worried they might only get the clue I sent over, but the door is holding.”

BANG

“Do you really want to see who’s behind that door?!”

“It’s reinforced in case of demonic attack, remember?”

“You want to bet your life on it?”

Fred met Dawn’s eyes. “We’ve been doing that all along. Might as well do our job.”

BANG

Dawn nodded slowly. “Ok…let’s hope none of our friends outside find a faster way in.”

“I highly doubt Lilah would trust anyone else with-“

They froze when a key could be heard entering the lock.

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

Buffy typed frantically on the keyboard.

“Send that! NOW!”

Willow did as she was told without comment. A moment later, she gave Buffy a concerned look. “They’re probably already gone by now.”

Buffy just shook her head and picked up the phone.

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

Get out of there!! Demons coming fast!!

Neither Fred nor Dawn ever saw Buffy’s final message as the door to Lilah’s office was flung open. The head demon, katana at the ready, raised a warning finger to his subordinates.

“Watch for an invisibility spell. Summers kid has a little bit of magical talent.”

They looked at the deserted office. “Qui-Masan, check the vent. They came in that way.” The leader motioned toward the hole near the ceiling. He thought to check behind the door.

It was a scant second too late as the combined strength of Dawn and Fred’s thighs were brought to bear against the oak, shoving him violently back against the far wall. Before he could recover, Dawn leapt across the room and delivered a perfect right cross to the chin. He recovered impossibly fast, sending the katana toward Dawn’s neck with a backhanded swipe.

She barely managed to duck the swing, forcing herself to ignore the pain in her lacerated hand as she grasped his huge arm, wrenching it violently toward her knee. He screamed in pain, dropping the katana.

The second demon hopped down from the vent he’d begun to climb, but barely made a step toward Dawn when Fred pulled the trigger, sending wires flying toward him. He staggered back, vibrating violently as the electrodes attached themselves to his chest. Acting on instinct, Fred dropped to the ground and grabbed her pepper spray, spraying it toward the doorway. She intercepted one perfectly, sending him back to the hallway from which he’d come.

In the meantime, the leader of the pack had managed to get a hold on Dawn’s throat, lifting her with one hand. Her eyes bugged out as she struggled. The demon gave a throaty chuckle.

“Someone should have sent a memo, honey: you’re not the Slayer in the family.”

To his shock, Dawn smiled slightly as she gurgled out: “Good point. On the other hand, I AM the sneaky one.”

She kicked the heels of her shoes together hard, releasing two spring-loaded blades from the steel toes. Without hesitation she buried them in his stomach. As he released the hold on her neck, Dawn allowed herself to drop to the floor on her back, bending her knees and pushing with all her strength. The demon flipped over her head, dislodging the blades as he went.

Dawn regarded her blood-soaked shoes. “No place like home.”

She grabbed the katana and put it over her head, blocking the incoming blow from the next demon behind her. This time when she tried to thrust her legs back and impale him on her shoe blades, he jumped away.

“Won’t get away with those parlor tricks twice.” The demon growled.

Adapting quickly, Dawn simply changed her momentum, kick-flipping to her feet and spinning to face him. She smiled as she waved her sword.

“As long as I have a weapon, I don’t need them. Wanna dance?”

“You dare challenge me?”

“Oh, sorry. I thought it was Sadie Hawkins night.”

He rushed her in a rage, swinging wildly. Dawn blocked each blow, wincing at the painful shock to her arms.

Note to self: ask Buffy about the exact benefits of pissing off super-strong demons.

Fred, for her part, was out of weapons, dodging the last demon’s sword thrusts with nothing more than sheer desperation.

“DAWN!!”

“COMING! HANG ON!”

Fred picked up the monitor and threw it at her assailant, causing him to pause briefly. She looked around the room wildly. Finally she managed to grab a pair of scissors from the top of Lilah’s desk. As the demon advanced, she held them out.

The demon laughed out loud. “What exactly do you plan to do with those?” His laugh stopped abruptly when the pointed end of a sword became visible through his stomach.

Fred shrugged.

“Made you look.”

Dawn pulled the sword from the demon’s body, allowing him to slump to the ground.

“Buffy used that line already.”

Fred rolled her eyes. “Please forgive me. I was probably being enslaved in another dimension at the time. What took you, anyway?”

“Sorry. He was good.”

They looked around the room. “Should we high-five or something?”

Dawn shook her head. “Not really feeling that…right…now.”

Both women backed slowly out of the office as all four demons began to slowly rise. Fred licked her lips.

“Self-healing demons.”

“Picked up on that.”

The one who had been stunned unconscious by Fred let out a murderous roar.

“STAIRS!” Dawn screamed, giving Fred a shove.

They ran headlong down the hallway, bursting through the door and climbing with all they had. Fred spoke breathlessly.

“Why…stairs?!”

“Jack is our only chance! I’ll assume there were more demons where those came from!”

“But…”

“I know! I’m hoping he’s a mercenary who works both sides! Right now, we have to pray he’s on ours!”

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

Riley snapped up his cell. “Dawn?”

He closed his eyes when Buffy spoke.

(No. You haven’t seen her?)

“I slipped out fifteen minutes ago. She was supposed to call right before she took off.”

(Where are you right now?)

“In the Hummer...about a block away.”

(Get over there. I’ll keep you on speaker.)

Riley checked his binoculars.

“Shit.”

(I don’t hear an engine.)

“The place is crawling with guards at the front…some demons too. I don’t know how I can…”

Buffy’s voice was feather soft.

(Riley, I don’t care who’s there. Get…my sister…out. I’ll hold.)

“Just let me think…wait! Wait a minute!”

(What?)

“The helicopter’s in the air! She must’ve forgot to call! Oh God…that was too close.”

Willow’s voice came on to the line.

“Riley…could you repeat that?”

“I said it was close.”

“The first part.”

“About the helicopter? There she is, big as life. God, I never thought I’d be so-“

(RILEY!)

“What?”

“You shouldn’t be seeing anything.”

*******One Minute Earlier********

Dawn burst through the roof access door. After taking a second to adjust her eyes, she spotted the chopper; Jack already had the rotors turning. Fred came moments later.

“He’s here! Come on!”

Summoning all their remaining energy, they sprinted across the rooftop. Jack sat in the pilot’s seat with a lazy smile, raising his voice to be heard over the din of the engine.

“Quite a knife you got there, Dawn!”

“Jack, I never thought I could say this, but I’m thrilled to see you! Let’s get the hell out of here!”

Jack put his forefinger to his chin. “Hold on…let me think this through!”

“We don’t have time for you to think!” Fred yelled. “Let’s go!”

“Nope. Sorry…can’t do it!”

Dawn stood to her full height. “I don’t want to hurt you, but we’re past desperate, ok!?”

Jack held out a pistol. “Shouldn’t bring a katana to a gun fight, sweetie! Yeah, I know I agreed to stop callin’ you that, but hey…I’m holdin’ the gun!”

“Ok!” Fred spoke slowly. “You’ve got us! Do you want more money!? We can work something out!”

He shrugged. “Can’t go for that, hon! I only renegotiate once!”

“We haven’t renegotiated yet!”

“Actually, he has!” Lilah said from behind them. “Might want to put the potato-peeler down, Dawnie! The guards are very upset with you!”

Dawn swallowed hard, then dropped her sword.

“Good girl! You can stay up extra late tonight!” Lilah smirked, then nodded at Jack. He returned the nod, winked at Fred and Dawn, and floated off into the night.

Lilah took a deep, satisfied breath.

“I declare Amateur Hour to be officially over.”

“Where’s Wesley?” Dawn’s voice was low, dangerous.

Lilah licked her lips. “Where he belongs. Lying in my bed. Wanna go see?”

- End Chapter Twenty-nine -