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"First test." Jake said, pulling up to an abandoned warehouse. "You must make it from the front door of this building to the back in less than ten minutes."
Grace frowned. "That's too easy. What's inside?"
Jake smiled at her. "You'll just have to go in and find out."
Wesley and Grace got out of the car and walked toward the front of the building. As Wesley reached for the door, Jake called out, "Your time starts now."
They stepped inside the building and closed the door behind them, throwing them into darkness.
"Wesley I'm scared." Grace said, then reached over and clasped his hand. They were both shaking, terrified of what could be hiding in the dark and waiting for them.
"Let's just give ourselves a minute to let our eyes adjust to the dark." Wesley suggested, then turned toward Grace when she didn't answer him. "Grace? What's the matter?"
"Look." She whispered and he followed her gaze out into the darkness. Hundreds of tiny red eyes glowed in the corners and along the walls.
"Redcaps?" She asked.
"I would assume so." He replied, then tightened his grip on her hand. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Wesley heard her breath catch and she nodded. "I'm sure. We have no other choice."
Feeling that their eyes had adjusted as much as they would, they both took a step forward which sent the hundreds of goblins into a flurry of movement. Wesley and Grace froze, hoping the tiny demons would stop with them. When they didn't, Wesley looked down at Grace.
"We're going to have to run." He told her.
She nodded. "Okay. We can do that."
"On three." Wesley said. "One, two, three."
They took off in a sprint toward the back of the warehouse. Grace had to struggle to keep up with Wesley, but because he still had a tight hold of her hand she wasn't too far behind. The eyes blinked several times as if they couldn't believe their food would dare to run, then the animals suddenly began their frenzied movement, trying to catch the humans.
Wesley and Grace were nearly at the back door when she tripped.
"Dammit." She cried, going down hard on the floor and cracking her hip painfully against the cement. Wesley leaned down to help her up and as he did, a redcap flew onto his back. Grace got to her feet hurriedly and tried to rip the goblin off his sweater. It clung madly with it's sharp talons, then raised one arm up and slashed at Grace's hand. She cried out and stepped backward, tripping again over another tiny goblin.
This one also hurtled itself onto Wesley, clinging to the material of his sweater and swiped it's talons at his abdomen. Wesley cringed in pain, then pulled the demon off and threw it to the ground where it scrambled to its feet and launched itself at Grace this time.
A third and fourth had already found their way onto Wesley as Grace tried to untangle the one redcap from her hair. Becoming fed up with her fighting, the goblin grabbed one of her wrists in his talons and held it tightly, piercing the skin. Then he opened his mouth and sunk his teeth into her shoulder as far as they would go. Grace screamed, then wrapped her free hand around the goblin's body and flung it across the room. It's talons ripped the skin on her wrist and hand as it moved and she watched its body bounce against the floor, then lay still.
Getting up, Grace grabbed at one of the demons on Wesley's back and threw it against the wall. Then she pulled off another and offered it the same bone shattering death. Wesley grabbed the last and threw it as hard as he could.
They stood there, panting and shaking, waiting for the others to attack. But they seem scareded now, the redcaps faded into the shadows of the room, leaving them alone.
"Let's go." Wesley said, then grabbed Grace's arm and pulled her toward the back door. They flew out of the building and into the bright sunlight as Jake began to clap.
"I was beginning to get worried about you." He said, checking his watch. "Nearly six minutes. I figured you, of all people, would be able to get out of there."
"And why's that?" Grace asked, while Wesley gingerly examined her shoulder.
"You're a half demon, he's an ex-watcher. You guys should have all the knowledge it takes to get through a few measly redcaps."
"Well we did." Wesley said. "Now can we get something for our wounds?"
"There's a first aid kit in the truck." Jake told them. "It's time for your second test."
Grace and Wesley followed the demon back to the truck once more and climbed inside.
"Here." She said and pulled open the kit. "Take your shirt off."
Wesley obeyed her orders, then cringed as she dabbed rubbing alcohol onto the scratches on his back. She then turned her attention to the slashes across his stomach, then covered each wound with a bandage and tape.
"Let me see your shoulder." Wesley said, as he pulled his sweater back over his head. Grace pushed down the collar of her shirt and Wesley treated her wound the same as his, then took care of the one on her wrist.
"Isn't this fun?" She muttered sarcastically. "Are you going to drive any time soon?"
Jake looked into the rear view mirror and raised his eyebrows. "I will, but I just want you to know that at the next place, the rules change."
Grace stared back at him. "Change how?"
"At the next building, you'll have to go through a series of tests." Jake explained. "And I won't be around to help you any longer."
Wesley raised a sceptical eyebrow in his direction. "Help us?"
Jake continued, ignoring the comment. "Each test will become harder and harder. I should also let you know, at the back of the building is where you'll find Angel, if you get through them. And also, you have two tries. If one of you fails, the other can still complete the game and take Angel and the loser home safely."
"Are you done?" Grace asked. "Because I'd like to get this over with before dinner."
"So confident, aren't you?" Jake glanced in the mirror again as he started the vehicle. "So much confidence that you'll win. Well, I certainly hope, for your sake, that you have a reason to be confident Grace."
"Oh I have a reason all right Jake." She sneered at him. "Not only am I going to beat your tests, but I'm going to kick your ass at the end of it."
"Is that a challenge?" He asked.
Grace shook her head. "It's a promise."
Cordelia paced in her apartment, holding her cell phone in her left hand and staring at it. The lights were all off and she hadn't bothered opening any curtains to let the sun in.
"C'mon, ring!" She commanded the phone. It suddenly shrilled in her hand and Cordelia stared at it in surprise. "Grace?" She asked, flipping it open. When she received no answer, then turned around to find her own phone floating in the air.
"Dennis!" She cried, closing the cell phone. "That's not funny!" Her phone dropped back into the cradle as she walked toward it. "Don't you realize that Angel, Wesley and Grace are in a lot of danger right now? I don't need you playing games with my phone."
Cordelia stared around her apartment for a few moments longer, then sighed and settled down on her couch. A minute later, a drink can floated toward her from the direction of the kitchen and she sighed again.
"I know you're sorry Dennis and I'm sorry I yelled. I'm just really scared, that's all, okay? Friends again?"
The soda can was set down on the table in front of her and Cordelia felt the slight breeze pass by her as Dennis kept walking. The lights turned on next and the breeze came again, this time staying at the couch.
Cordelia nodded and smiled. "Friends."
Wesley and Grace stood in front of another building on the outskirts of Los Angeles. It was a sprawling house that looked like it hadn't been used in ages.
"This is where you've set up your game?" Grace asked. "Why here?"
"Enough room." Jake answered simply. "And we could easily rebuild the inner rooms of the home to help us without anyone noticing. No one has used this house since the early twentieth century."
Grace and Wesley stared at the enormous house.
"I can only imagine what's inside." He muttered, lowering his eyes to the ground.
Jake stepped in front of them. "As soon as you walk into the front door, the first test begins. The enemies are small, weak and not very bright and I don't think you'll have a problem beating them. But as you go through the rooms the enemies will get stronger and faster. You'll be provided with weapons in the situations we feel the enemies cannot be beat with merely hand to hand combat."
Grace glanced at him. "Gee, you're so generous."
Jake just shook his head and focused his gaze on the house. "You might want to get a start on it now, you could be here for a long time."
Wesley started toward the house before noticing that Grace wasn't with him. She was still standing near Jake, staring him down as hard as she could.
"Grace." He said softly, lightly touching her arm. "Come on, we'll take care of him later."
She nodded curtly, then walked toward the house with Jake smiling after her.
"I meant what I said." Wesley told him. "We will take care of you later." He turned then and followed Grace.
"I'm sure you will." The Bracken demon murmured.
Wesley cracked open the front door of the house and crept inside, followed by Grace. They stood in a small room, torches lining the walls for a light source.
"They planned this for so long and couldn't remember to get electricity?" Grace asked, staring at the flames.
No weapons lay anywhere near them, informing them that the creature they would be fighting wouldn't be all that difficult.
"So, where is it?" Wesley asked, turning in a circle. "He said the second we open the front door our tests would begin and I don't see anything."
Grace sighed. "Just wait. I'm sure Jake and his friends won't disappoint us."
Wesley looked over at her. "Are you okay? You sound very angry."
"I am angry. And it's overwhelming me Wesley, it's a lot of anger."
"Channel it." He said. "Use it to your advantage."
The door at the other end of the room creaked open and Grace nodded, her eyes straight ahead. "I plan on it."
The demon stepped into the room, growling as it came. It was a large creature, it's gold skin shimmered the light from the flames and it's bright blue eyes stared out at them angrily. It looked mostly human with the exception of the horns that sprouted from the top of its head.
"Do you know what it is?" Grace asked, as it advanced on them.
Wesley shook his head. "I don't know what it is and I most certainly do not know how to kill it."
The demon shot out one, long hand toward them, aiming at Grace's face. She ducked out of the way and kicked the demon in the knee, disabling it for a moment.
Wesley took the opportunity to slam his own fist into the demon's face, then another into its stomach.
Grace got to her feet and sent a kick to the gold face, the minute it looked up. The demon fell over backward and Wesley ran around to its head, wrapping his arms around it and snapping its neck.
Grace stared at the corpse blankly. "Well, that wasn't very hard."
Wesley shook his head. "You're right. It was almost . . . easy."
As they walked to the next door, Wesley took a side long glance at the half demon. "How'd you learn to fight?" He asked, finally.
Grace shot him a half smile. "Seven years of tae kwon do certainly helps, doesn't it?"
Wesley smiled back. "I suppose it does. And you've been training with Angel right?"
She nodded. "He's helped me a bit." Her hand settled on the door knob and she glanced over at Wesley. "Ready?"
"Ready."
Grace turned the handle and they stepped into the next room, into their next test.
Angel could hear the sounds of a struggle somewhere in the building and he strained to listen. Unfortunately, he was too far away and couldn't make out any of the voices, or even what they were saying.
"What's going on?" He asked finally, turning to look at Jake. "What's happening?"
The demon smiled. "Your friends are on their way to save you. Or, they're going to try."
Angel's face fell. "I told them not to come after me." He growled quietly. "I told them I'd be fine. She never listens to me."
"And that's what you love about her, isn't it?" Jake hissed. "I've known Grace for a long time vampire and I know exactly what she wants . . . and what she needs."
"Go to hell." Angel snarled at him.
Jake smiled. "I'd tell you the same, but you've already been there. Don't worry vampire, she loves you, I can see it when I talk about torturing and killing you. The thing you have to worry about right now, is if you'll really be okay. Do you honestly think they're going to make it through this house?"
Angel stared into Jake's eyes and nodded. "I know they will."
"Four down," Grace panted, "God only knows how many to go." She struggled to carry all the weapons that she and Wesley had collected. They each held an axe, a sword and a club. They had taken them along in case Jake had decided not to supply any more weapons and they needed them.
"That last one wasn't so hard." Wesley said, looking over at the body of the demon. "I thought Jake said they got bigger, not smaller."
"I'm sure the worst is still to come." Grace told him, then opened the next door.
They stood for a moment, staring at the next room they had to face. The next terror they had to get through to be one step closer to getting Angel back.
It was a maze created out of leaves and vines, winding through one another. The walls reached the roof, so there was no possible way they could go over and the walls themselves where full of thorns.
"He never said there was a maze." Grace mumbled.
"Never mind the maze itself," Wesley said, "we need to think about what might be inside the maze."
"Minotaur?" Grace asked, only half joking.
A growl came from deep within the maze and she froze on the spot.
"Your guess may not be far off." Wesley told her. "While I doubt it's the actual authentic Minotaur, it could be a close relative."
"Why not the real thing?" She questioned him.
"Because the real thing was killed a long time ago, you do know the story, right?"
Grace nodded. "I've read it many times."
"The Minotaur was killed and no others were ever recorded. Similar beasts have been seen, but no actual Minotaurs. There was only one."
"So, technically, this guy could be worse?" She asked.
Wesley nodded as he thought about it. "Technically, yes. But most of the common relatives are smaller and less aggressive."
Another growl bellowed out from the centre of the maze.
"Though not by much." Wesley added, before taking the first step into the maze. "We might as well get this over with."
Grace followed him in and sighed. "Yeah, might as well."
The maze was dark, no lights penetrated the thick plants that made up the walls. Grace's left hand was pressed against one wall, her other was tightly squeezing Wesley's left hand. In turn, his right hand trailed the other wall. Both had swords pushed through their belts of their pants and Grace glanced down at hers occasionally, not wanting to lose her only hope of protection against whatever was in the maze.
"Are we almost there?" She whispered, praying that this time Wesley would have a definite answer.
"I don't know Grace." He responded. "I hope so, we've been walking for a long time now."
"I haven't heard anything in quite a while." Grace said. "You think maybe the monster is asleep?"
Wesley smiled slightly at her suggestion. "Maybe. We can only hope, right?"
They continued to walk in silence, Grace still clutching Wesley's hand like it was the only thing keeping her alive.
"I think I hear something." She said, then stopped walking. "Listen, do you hear it?"
Wesley paused to listen for a moment, then nodded. "It's breathing. Whatever it is, we're getting closer."
They rounded another corner and Grace stopped short, stifling a gasp.
"A lot closer." She hissed, staring at the beast they were standing in front of.
What they stared at was a large monster, lying on the ground in a sound sleep. It looked like a combination between a human and a bull, the legs were strong and muscular, as was the human torso and arms. Its head also looked like that of a man, except for the horns that curled out of its head, wrapping themselves around in circles.
"That's not a Minotaur." Grace said.
Wesley shook his head. "I'm not sure exactly what it is. It looks like some breed of centaur, but for the most part, those left alive are very docile creatures. They know any wrong moves can kill off their kind."
"Why would they put a docile creature in the centre of the maze?" Grace asked. "I have a feeling, this is no centaur."
"Do you want to try sneaking around it?" He asked.
Grace nodded. "The less we have to fight this thing, the better."
Wesley went first, taking careful steps around the den of the creature, holding tightly to the wall with one hand and to the handle of his sword with the other. He made it through without waking the beast up, then motioned Grace to join him.
She chose the same path that Wesley had, watching the creature the entire time, praying that he wouldn't wake up. She was so busy watching the creature, she couldn't watch where she was stepping. Her toe pushed a heavy rock along the floor, making a low scratching noise and she immediately froze.
Wesley motioned to her frantically, trying to get her to move, but Grace shook her head.
The creature moved, snorting hot air out across the ground and over her shoes.
Grace breathed in and out slowly, praying that it wouldn't wake up. She took another step, then another and was so near Wesley that she gave up her oath to be silent and nearly skipped to him. She was only a step from the door when a hand caught her upper arm and held her back.
"And just where do you think you're going?" The creature asked in a deep voice. "I haven't eaten in days."
Grace stared up at it in fright, then pulled her sword from her belt and thrust is blindly at the beast. It cut his stomach and he backed away, letting go of her arm momentarily.
Wesley jumped forward then, also holding his sword out. The creature reached out his hand to grab for it, but Wesley dodged his arm and attempted to plunge his sword into the beasts side. The monster grabbed the sword this time and pulled it out of Wesley's grasp, clutching it in its own hands.
"I never was good with those." Wesley murmured helplessly.
Grace stood her ground, holding the sword in her trembling hands as the monster advanced on her with a sword of its own. It flashed forward suddenly and Grace also thrust forward, closing her eyes. She heard a clang of metal and opened her eyes to see the creature back off a few steps.
*I can do this.* She thought. *Angel taught me how.*
The sword flew at her again and she met it with her own, stopping it from hitting her. Again the creature struck, but Grace knocked his attack off course with an attack of her own. Each time the beast tried a new angle, Grace was there first, stopping him from hurting her, protecting herself.
Frustrated with not being able to hit the mortal, the monster reached out and struck Grace hard across the head, knocking her to the floor. Her sword went skittering across the concrete and landed near Wesley's feet. Her limp body crashed against the wall and thumped to the ground, lying absolutely still.
As the creature advanced on Grace once more, Wesley picked up the sword and prayed for the strength he knew he'd need. The monster had reached Grace and was now picking up the unconscious woman in his hands. The creature toyed with her at first, lifting her arms and smelling her hair. She dangled lifelessly from his arms, breathing lightly.
Wesley drew in a deep breath, then raised a sword and plunged it into the beast's back as far as it would go. The creature roared loudly and dropped Grace back to the floor. He tried to reach the sword, but it was too far back, there was no way.
Wesley ducked from a swinging hand to run to Grace and held her gently, trying to wake her up. The creature roared again, before falling to its knees, then to the floor completely. Blood ebbed out from beneath him, coming closer to where Grace lay. Wesley picked her up and drew her out of the way, then tried to wake her again.
Angel's head snapped up when he heard a roar from deep within the house. It was closer than the voices had been, but still seemed very far away.
"What was that?" He asked.
Jake smiled. "Seems your friends are doing better than I thought." He said, as another roar filled the room. "They've beat the creature in the maze, but now they have to get through the maze themselves."
"There's a maze in this house?" The vampire looked shocked. "You're twisted, you know that right?"
Jake nodded. "I've known for a very long time exactly what I was and exactly what people think of me because of it. But you know what vampire? Because I'm twisted you're in here and your friends are out there, risking their lives to save your ass. How does that make you feel?"
"I don't need to hear this." Angel growled.
"Of course you don't."
"What's at the end of the maze?" Angel asked.
Jake glanced at him. "Why, you, of course."
Grace opened her eyes to see Wesley leaning over her, staring at her with concern. He moved away when he saw that she was awake and Grace sat up, lightly rubbing her head.
"Did we beat him?" She asked, then turned back to look at the monster.
Wesley smiled at her. "Yeah, we beat him. I also have a feeling that was the last test. We just have to get through the rest of the maze and we can take Angel home."
Grace stood up, smiling widely and took Wesley's hand again. "Come on then, I'd really like to get there before they decide to stick him out in the sun." She let go of his hand for a moment and skipped forward a few steps.
Then, without any warning, the floor gave out from under her and Grace disappeared from sight.
"Grace?" Wesley called, kneeling by the hole on the floor. He could see her laying on the ground, it was a far drop to where she was and she was groaning in pain.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He called, hoping that she wasn't.
"I'm not sure Wesley." She called back, sitting up. She cringed in pain and cradled her right arm. "My arm, it really hurts."
"Okay, well, just stay there. I'll find some way to get you out of there." He stood up and looked around, wondering exactly how he was going to help her.
"Wesley?" Grace called fearfully from the hole. "I don't think I'll be coming back up."
He got back onto his knees and stared down at her. "Why not?"
"Because they won't let me." She said, pointing to something he couldn't see. Then, without warning, a bracken demon leapt forward and smiled up at Wesley. He then picked up Grace and carried her out of sight. Wesley was alone.
"I can still do this." He murmured, stepping around the hole, being careful not to fall in. "Jake said that I could finish alone and that's what I'm going to do."
The demon shoved Grace into a small room at the back of the house. She'd walked under ground with him for a few moments before reaching their destination and now realized that Wesley didn't have much further to go.
"Grace!" Angel cried, his eyes wide. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "I think my arm might be broken, but other than that I'm okay."
"You made it further than I expected." Jake said. "And don't worry, I'm not going to back out on our deal. If Wesley makes it here alive, then I'll let you all go."
"Until then?" Grace asked.
Jake nodded to the chair next to Angel. "Take a seat there. I won't bother tying you up, you can't do anything with your arm in that condition."
"You're too kind." She responded, then sat next to Angel. "How are you feeling?" She asked.
Angel nodded. "I'm okay. Tired and a little sore, but otherwise fine."
"He'll get through the maze Angel." Grace said. "I know he will."
Angel smiled at her. "I know. I trust Wesley with my life."
Wesley turned the corner and walked straight into a dead end. He groaned loudly in frustration, then turned and started back the way he had come. He crouched in the corner, trying to push it open, hoping maybe that the door had been hidden. Instead he hit a trigger, causing swords to fly out of the walls above him. Wesley glanced up in surprise and his eyes widened as the sharp blades embedded in the walls.
"I'm never going to make it out of here." He mumbled to himself as he walked aimlessly. "I'm going to be stuck in here for the rest of my life and I'm going to starve to death. And Grace and Angel will die because of me."
He sighed and pulled off his glasses, wiping them on his shirt, then slide them back onto his nose.
When he looked up, Wesley frowned, then took his glasses off again to clean them. In front of him was the outline of a door.
"This can't be real." Wesley blinked several times. "This is just excellent, now I'm hallucinating. It's like a mirage." He shrugged. "Might as well humour it."
Wesley took a step forward and turned the door know, opening it into the room beyond. There he found Grace and Angel sitting on two chairs in front of him, while Jake and another demon stood near by.
"Oh look." He said. "More mirages. Might as well turn around now." Wesley turned on his heel to go, when Grace stood up and grabbed his arm.
"Wes, it's really us." She said, then smiled at him. "It's time to go home."
Angel stepped out of the house and into the darkened night. Grace and Wesley followed him, watching his back and making sure he was okay.
"We need to get you to a hospital." Wesley said, looking at Grace.
She nodded, "Yeah, I know. We should take off."
Jake stood in the doorway. "I thought you promised me you'd take care of me?" He asked.
Grace glanced back at him, then looked at Angel. She shook her head slowly. "You're not worth it Jake, really to me, you're just not worth it."
He smiled sadly. "You're right. To you, I'm not worth it. Have a nice life Gracie."
"Hey, wait a moment." Wesley called as the demon turned away.
Jake turned back and looked at him expectantly. "Yes?"
"To me, you're worth it." He answered, then pulled back his fist and slammed it into the demon's face.
Grace shook her head and closed her mouth against the laughter. Then she pulled on Wesley's arm. "Come on, let's go."
Angel stepped into his bedroom, sighing at how pathetic he felt. Wesley and Grace had saved his life, but in the end it had only resulted in getting themselves hurt. He could have got out himself, but instead he had to wait to be saved.
Another sigh escaped the lips of the vampire, before he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it onto the bed.
"Feeling sorry for yourself vampire?" Grace asked from the door and Angel whirled in her direction, completely caught off guard.
"Grace, no, I-I, um, actually, I don't know what I'm doing."
She entered the room, stepping softly on the carpet with her bare feet. Angel noticed suddenly how beautiful she looked, completely uninhibited and happy. She was wearing a long, blue, wrap around skirt and a white tee shirt. Her hair was loose and freshly washed, Angel could smell her shampoo from where she stood. Her right arm was in a cast and sling from her fall in the maze.
"Well, sounds like most of my life." She responded, stopping a few steps away from him.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
Grace shrugged. "I've been confused for a very long time. Including most of the time I've been here. But now I know what's going on. I know what I'm going to do."
Angel's brow creased as he looked at her. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to love you Angel, for as long as I have to. And that's all I'm going to do. Love you." Grace smiled, her lips curling upward. "Until the time when you can love me back, I'll love you." Then she turned on her heel and walked out of his bedroom, leaving him standing alone and staring after her.
Finally, after several moments of standing there, Angel allowed himself to smile. After all, he only had a few more apocalyptic battles to go before he could love her back.
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