“I was a vengeance demon, Ligeia and Lucretia were crazy sorceress’ into torturing magical creatures. You do the math.”

“They came after you?” It wasn’t really a question, Giles just wanted confirmation.

“They tried, but I was waiting for them. A few well placed curses and they got the idea.” A small smile crept across the ex-demon’s face.

“I’ve never heard of them.” Wesley was rummaging through several of Giles’ books. “Are they demons as well, or...?” He trailed off when Angel put his fist through the wall.

“What difference does it make, what she is? Spike killed the sister which means this one can die. In a few hours the sun will go down and so will she.” Angel shook his head and slumped to the floor. “In the meantime Buffy is suffering, and we’re sitting around flapping our jaws.”

“The sun will be up soon, why don’t we all try to get some rest. You and Spike can bunk in the basement, and Cordelia can have the guest room. It’s upstairs and to the left. Wesley, you and...I’m sorry I don’t think anyone introduced us. You would be?” Giles noticed Gunn’s presence for the first time.

“That would be Gunn, he works with us from time to time.” Cordelia still hadn’t let go of Gunn’s hand, she stood and pulled him towards the stairs “He’ll be sleeping in the guest room too.” She flashed a nervous smile at the smirk on his face.

“I guess that settles that, I’d say something about it being nice meeting you, but under the circumstances I’ll just shake your hand and promise to do my best to get your friend back.” He paused to snatch up his bag and one of Cordelia’s before following her up the stairs.

“I’ll take the couch.” Wesley murmured, stifling a yawn. He made a mental note to ask Gunn for details later. Xander and Anya waved a silent goodbye and made their way out. Spike led Angel downstairs, and Giles made his way to bed, struggling not to think about Buffy.

She’s talking again, that stupid little sing-song voice grating at my nerves. She keeps asking about Willow, I’d tell her to shut up, but my voice is gone. Screaming does that to a girl, I guess. I’m going to die, and it’s not going to be in some glorious battle to save the world, it’s just going to be this crazy bitch beating me to death. I wish it was Spike, I know that sounds nuts, but at least with him it would have been quick, he wouldn’t have chained me up like a dog. He would have fought me, and my death would have been an honorable one. This thing keeps trying to gnaw at my sanity. She thinks I’ll break, and then I’ll be like the others she keeps trotting in here. That I’ll smile and fawn and lick her boots to make the pain stop, she doesn’t realize the simple truth, I’m tired. I’ve made my peace as best as I could, my mom knows I love her and my dad probably won’t notice the difference.  The way she keeps ranting I know Willow got away, which means by now Angel knows. I know Will has given him my message by now, and for a good-bye that’s as good as we were ever going to get. Someone’s bringing in a tray, I guess my ‘lesson’ is over for now, and the food must be that reward she kept jabbering about. She thinks if she hurts me enough, then promises to make it stop I’ll be grateful enough to give her what she wants. I know better, besides the only thing she has that I want is a quick death.

“You may eat now and we are inclined to allow you to rest, you look tired and a new toy takes time to break in properly. Your training will resume when we wake.” She smiles at me, squats down to look me in the eye “Say thank you Mistress, or you’ll spend the night learning some very hard lessons.”

I know it’s only words, and the idea of food and rest sounds like heaven, but some part of me rises up in defiance. So, I say nothing and stare directly into her eyes, waiting for her to lose it. It doesn’t take long.

“Why won’t you do as you’re told?!!!” She’s shrieking again, I hate the noise she makes, but it won’t last long, she’ll yell for a few minutes and then she’ll start hitting me again. So far she stops when I pass out, but I don’t think that’s for my benefit. Screaming hurts, I guess my throat’s too raw, so when she starts kicking me, I close my eyes and let my mind drift. 

“She’s passed out again, I think. The vision’s aren’t coming like they were before, but I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.” Cordelia took a deep breath “Buffy’s not really expecting a rescue, I think she’s kind of made up her mind to die. She keeps baiting her, trying to make her lose control, but so far it’s not working. We have to hurry, I’m sorry Angel, but I’m not sure we can wait for sunset.”

“We won’t need to.” Willow and Tara spoke in unison, though they hadn’t so much as looked at each other since they’d walked into the magic shop. Cordelia’s visions had woken her just before noon, and prompted her calling everyone and demanding they meet at Giles’ store.

“Much as I hate to admit it, we’re going to need all the help we can get. De.. Angel and Spike are two of the best fighters, Will.” Xander caught himself, using that nickname just didn’t seem right anymore.

“I know that, I’m thinking of a spell I saw. The weather’s been wet lately, all it would take is a little nudge to get a storm going...” Willow trailed off, when the door opened and people started pouring in.

“I’m sorry, we’re...” Giles shut up when one of them, a short man with dark hair ran over to Oz and squatted next to his chair, whispering something too soft for the others to hear.

Oz listened to the man’s whispers for a few minutes before saying “Giles, this is the rest of my pack. Some forty-five wolves ready and willing to fight. As soon as Willow finishes casting that spell we can go.”

“We still have one more person coming, but she’ll be here soon.” Cordelia murmured, her mind on Buffy’s face in the last vision she’d had.

“I’m here now.” A small strawberry-blonde woman weaved through the crowd at the door. “What do you need me to break?”

“Beth, oh god it’s good to see you. I like that color, it fits your face better than the dishwater thing you had going last time.” Bethany just rolled her eyes at Cordelia’s ‘compliment’.

“Hey Beth.” Wesley smiled gently, glad to see the young telekinetic looking so well. “We need you to knock down a few walls and kill a demon or ten. Nothing major.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No, he’s not. Remember that girl I mentioned Angel was in love with?” At the girl’s nod Cordelia continued “She’s been kidnapped by some bad people. These others are friends of ours, and they’re going to help us get her back. But we need all the help we can get, are you in?”

“Of course, like I told you guys before, whatever whenever, no matter what. When do we leave?”

“As soon I get this spell going, we can book.” Willow wasn’t quite sure what Beth could do, but she didn’t really care. Angel and the others seemed to think she could help and that was all that mattered. She busied herself gathering the necessary ingredients, not noticing the odd look on the girl’s face.

“Spell?”

“Willow’s a witch, ...and you’ve got no clue who anyone is, or what you’re getting yourself into. I’ll tell you what I can and the rest will just have to wait. C’mon over here.” Bethany allowed Cordelia to lead her away from the crowd of people gathered around the table.

“Red, are you sure you can pull off the spell? Don’t start giving me dirty looks pet, I just remember someone accidentally releasing a rather large troll, not too long ago.” Spike sighed when Willow just glared at him. “Just asking, besides we could always take the tunnels.”

“No you couldn’t, the tunnels won’t lead into the house, at least not right now, there’s some kind of spell that makes it so no one can enter without coming in above ground. She was bragging to Buffy about it, besides the rain will help cover our approach.” Cordelia put in from across the room.

“Will everyone shut up? The spell will only take a few minutes and I need to focus.” Willow snapped.

“Excuse me, where is Mr. Giles?” Joyce shoved past the crowd at the door, Dawn in tow “Willow, thank god. Buffy’s never came home last night, I’ve been calling everywhere but I couldn’t get anyone.” At the look on Willow’s face, Joyce’s eyes filled “No... please don’t tell me my baby’s gone. Please, I can’t lose my little girl.” She sank to her knees, still clutching Dawn’s hand, moaning “Not my baby....”

“Joyce, she’s not dead. She’s been kidnapped, we’re going to get her back. Our girl is going to be fine. I swear, I’m going to bring her home.” Giles knelt beside her, cradling the sobbing woman. Willow grabbed her ingredients and ran outside.

“How do you know?”

Giles started explaining about Cordelia’s visions, when he got to the part about Buffy’s current condition, Tara pulled Dawn’s hand free and led her away. Ever since Dawn had learned of her status as the Key, everyone had gone out of their way to avoid excluding her, but Tara knew Key or not, no fourteen year old should have to hear the things Giles was explaining.

She noticed Angel sitting in the corner and veered towards him. Tara made frantic signals at Angel, trying to explain who Dawn was. “Are you going to get her back?” Spike had already told Angel the story the night before, so he kept his face calm.

“Yes.”

“Who are all these other people?”

“Friends of Oz’s. They’re going to help us get Buffy back” Angel’s heart tore, listening to Joyce’s tears. He knew Dawn was holding on by a thread, but he couldn’t think of anything comforting to say.

“She’s going to be okay, right?.”

“I...” Before Angel could form a response, Willow ran in, the first rumbles of thunder sounding as she came through the door.

“Rain’s coming, we need to go.” Willow thrust a sword into Angel’s hand, “Dawn, Joyce you guys stay here, we’ll be back as soon as we can.”

“Actually, Willow I’m not sure it’s safe for you to accompany us. One of things Cordelia learned in her visions is that you are also a target of this creature’s. It might be better if you remained here with Dawn and Joyce.” Wesley explained quietly.

“Me, why?”

“There’s some kind of spell she needs you for, one of the reasons she took Buffy was to have some way to force you to do what she wants. Cordelia wasn’t very clear on the details, but it has something to do with her lifespan. Either way, I agree with Wesley it would be safer for you to remain here.”

“No, I’m going with you.” Willow grabbed a small sword and ignored the look on everyone’s face.

“Honey, maybe you should stay here. I’ll be there to do any spell-casting stuff.” Tara whispered softly.

“No.” Resolve face firmly in place, the young witch’s answer was succinct.

“But...Wills, you’ll be safer here. There’s more than enough of us to help Buff, you can just stay here until we get back.” Xander offered, knowing even as he said that it was a mistake.

At the murderous look on Willow’s face, Oz stepped in “Willow, you and Tara are with me. We need to figure out who’ll be going in the first wave. Angel, what’s your friend Beth do?” Tara jumped at the sound of his voice, and quickly moved closer to Angel. Oz had passed a tense night, sharing a room with both Willow and Tara. Tara had whimpered in her sleep, and Willow hadn’t been in much better shape. He felt guilty enough for letting his jealousy get the better of him, he’d never intended to traumatize the blonde witch, and he knew he had to apologize. Unfortunately, Tara ran away every time he got within three feet of her. Willow hadn’t said three words to him either, but she did give him a small smile at his show of support.

Bethany’s response was to lift the table in front of them and spin it around a few times before setting it down gently. “I’m a telekinetic, which basically means I’m going to be the one opening the front door.”

“And the back door, and all the windows. If you ask her nicely, she’ll probably tear the roof off for us too.” Cordelia couldn’t help laughing at the expression on everyone’s face, unfortunately her mirth was short-lived. “Aaagh! No stop it! Please don’t, please no....” She collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach, tears streaming down her suddenly pale cheeks.

“Delia, what is it?” Gunn rushed to help her up.

“The other’s...the men...they’re not just watching, at least not  anymore.” Cordelia clutched at Gunn’s arms, her eyes begging him to understand, hoping he could explain it, so she wouldn’t have to say it out loud.

“What are you saying? There’s more than one of them hurting her?” Xander sounded genuinely confused, and when no one seemed to realize what she was saying, Cordelia braced herself to speak again.

“No,...I mean they’re hurting her, but not the way Ligeia was. They’re...um... I...the men are taking turns, and there’s a lot of them.” Cordelia whispered, her eyes fixed on Angel’s face, but Tara was the first to understand. At her horrified gasp, the other ’s faces changed as the full meaning of the ex-cheerleader’s words sunk in.

“I’m coming with you.” Joyce’s face had gone blank, and her eyes were cold.

“But...” Willow trailed off, when Giles shrugged and handed the older woman a large axe.

“So am I.” Dawn grabbed a small crossbow from the pile of weapons on the table. “Buffy taught me a lot of things, one of them was to take care of my own.”

“Of course. Oz, can you assign two of your people to Dawn and Joyce? And tell your people to stay wolves until it’s over, if I don’t recognize them they’re going to die.” Angel refused to let himself process Cordelia’s words, he was going to get his girl, and nothing else mattered. And he’d seen Joyce wield an axe, she could handle herself and the wolves would take care of everything else.

“Akira, Bell you’re with them.” Oz snapped at the two closest wolves, “Pack, listen up! When we go in, it’s as wolves. Otherwise you might get dead, take a good look at the men in this room, including the vamps make sure you can recognize all of them. You see a man that’s not one of them, kill him. There are no prisoners. Giles , you got a picture of Buff?”

“I do.” Joyce fumbled in her wallet for a second ”It’s only a few months old.”

“Pass this around, everyone take a good look. She’s the only thing in that house that’s coming out. She’s going to be in bad shape, so if you find her don’t move her. Get Kai or Rebecca, if they’re not close, you stand guard until someone else comes. Got it?” The wolves growled in response, Cordelia’s meaning having made it’s way through the room. In a quieter tone he spoke to the others, “Guys, we will get her back. Kai’s a doctor, and Rebecca’s a paramedic, they’ll make sure she’s okay.” He took Willow’s free hand and pulled her into a tight hug, with his mouth against her ear he whispered, “You stay next to me, no matter what happens, I will not let her get her filthy hands on you.”

“Let’s get at it. I need to kill something.” Gunn’s left hand was still holding Cordelia, but he had an axe in the other, and he was shaking with fury. He’d never met Buffy, but Cordelia had cried all night, the vision’s keeping her awake for hours, all he’d been able to do was hold her, and promise it would be over soon.

I know what hell is now, I’m watching the poor girl that used to be me go through it. It’s weird, watching yourself be killed. I’m glad now it wasn’t Spike, that would have made Angel feel even guiltier, than he usually does. I know he’s probably going to find some way to make this his fault, so will Giles and Willow. I hate that, it’s not their fault, it’s no one’s fault. Well, except maybe the PTB, but if I hadn’t been the Slayer then some other soul would’ve been suffering through what’s happening down there. I know Willow’s still in danger from this cunt, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I tried to fight back, when they came to chain my body to the contraption it’s on now, a couple of jabs with that fucking cattle prod and I passed out again. The others are with my body now, her ‘toys’, and they’re using it to amuse themselves, and her mouth is going again. She’s telling some bullshit story, about her being the only one who can make the pain stop, yeah I’m going for that one.

“Smart girl.” A voice comes out of nowhere, I turn to find a small dark haired man smiling at me. Well, not a man really, he’s a ghost like me.

 “Wait, I’m a ghost?” I’ve never really thought about the after-life, but somehow I thought ghosts got to move around more.

“Not exactly, more like a half-tethered soul.” He had an odd expression on his face.

“Oh, so who are you?”

“The name’s Doyle. I used to work with Angel, then I kinda got a promotion. I work for the PTB now, they sent me to help you.”

“Right...so this is the part where I’m hallucinating. You did just say you worked with Angel, right?”

“Yeah lass, look I’d love to chit-chat with you, but right now, we need to work on keeping you attached to your body.”

“No, I’m done, I’ve saved the world at least twice, and I’ve lost everything I can stand to lose. I’m ready to let go.”

“Really, I never figured you for a quitter. The way Angel talked, I always thought you were the type to hold on and fight to the end. Pity.”

“I’m not a quitter, I’ve done everything the PTB asked of me, and look what it got me. I’m alone and in pain, again! I don’t have Angel or Riley, I haven’t heard from my Dad in years, and this woman is planning on doing the same things to Willow that she did to me! I can’t make it stop, I can’t do anything but let go and hope the next Slayer called does a better job than I did!” I’m crying now, which is kind of weird since I can’t actually feel them.

“Look, I know your life hasn’t been easy, hell it’s been...well, hell. But, the world needs you, your family, your friends, Angel, they all need you. If you check out now, the First wins, he gets his Bride and the Key. There won’t be a new Slayer, Faith is still alive, and she’s technically the active one, remember you died once already. When Dru took out your friend Kendra, that Called Faith. Your death won’t help anyone, Faith is getting better, but she won’t be able to resist the First without help. Your help, and your friends support, Angel had the right of it, she wants to redeem herself, but if you’re gone the First will have her in no time. They’ll all die, the lucky one’s will go during the fighting, the rest, well...Willow and Anya will go first, then your mom. They’ll make my princess watch, then she’ll go as well. Giles will be one of the last, and his death will be the most painful, Glory will see to that. Angel will be trapped in hell for all eternity, they’ll show him the death’s of the others, over and over, he’ll see you and them suffering forever.”

“No, that’s not possible, you’re lying, none of it’s true...” I couldn’t block out his voice, or the images appearing in front of my eyes, Anya cradling Xander’s severed head, the horrified look on my mother’s face when she saw my body, Giles’ tear-streaked face, Willow kneeling over Tara’s broken body, screaming.

“Oh it’s true, would you like to know what they’ll do to your father? Or, exactly how Dawn will cease to be Dawn? The transition could be...unpleasant. Not to mention, the things that will be born when the First and Glory are united.”

“Wha...what do I have to do?” His eyes were boring into me, and I could see horrible things swimming in them.

“Go back, hold on just a little while longer, help is coming. As for the rest, well you’ll figure it out, a little research does a Slayer good.” He had a sad smile on his face, “I know it’s not going to be easy, but I swear this is it, this is the last task, the PTB are aware of all you have done.”

“I...I’ll feel what they’re doing to me, I’ll know and remember all of it, forever.” I’m shaking now, the memory of the pain creeping in, making me afraid.

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that, they didn’t expect the First to come after you this way.”

“Do I have to go back right now? During...?”

“We can wait a little while, the cavalry should be arriving soon.” He took her hand “I’ll stay here with you, until it’s over.”

“All right, I’d like that.” We talked for what felt like a long time, mostly about Cordelia, who he kept calling ‘Princess’. We talked about Angel some too, that went...not as well, I cried, he sympathized. Eventually I got around to realizing some of the things he’d mentioned earlier.

“You never explained all that stuff you mentioned before, about Glory and the First. What do you mean she’s his Bride?”

“I can’t tell you anymore, except that you will find some of your answers in the Scrolls of Aberdjian. You’ll have to work the rest out yourself. I’m not allowed to say anything more.”

“Right, what a surprise well, can you at least tell me where to find the Scrolls of Abel...Abur...gian?”

“It’s the Scrolls of Aberdjian, and your ex-honey already has them. Speaking of the great brooder, I do believe he has arrived.” He let go of her hand “It’s time, you have to go back now lass.”

I made myself come up with a smart ass comment “All right, but I want to go on record, I hate this. You want me to tell Angel or Cordelia anything?”

“Tell them I’m proud of them, and tell my princess I like the new guy. He’s not as cute as me, but I can see the appeal.”

I can’t help laughing at the comment, then he’s gone and I have to go face what’s happening to me.

“It’s just around the bend. Bethany, get ready to do your thing.” Cordelia was almost lunging at the windshield, peering through the driving rain, adrenaline pumping through her veins. Anxiously, she clutched at Gunn’s arm, “That’s it, the green house at the end of the road. God, what a tacky color.” She muttered as their little caravan pulled into a small dirt lane.

Bethany had been forcing herself to remain calm during the short drive, her powers not as easy to control when she got upset. Listening to Cordelia’s explanation’s earlier had nearly sent her over the edge, now confronted with the chance to turn her powers loose, to rend, maim and possibly kill, creatures like her pedophiliac father she could only whisper “All of you stay back, I can’t guarantee how far the debris is going to fly.” The strawberry-blonde walked up the drive slowly, casually holding the raging storm away from herself and the others, she focused her mind on tearing away the roof. She had understood Cordelia’s plan almost immediately, Angel couldn’t enter the house without an invitation, but without a roof or outer walls, well, it wasn’t exactly a home anymore, now was it?

“KRAAAACK!” As if the gods themselves had reached down, the roof was airborne. Flying, like a Frisbee it sailed off to side, eventually coming to rest almost a quarter of a mile away, one of the walls swayed perilously, the force of the roof’s removal causing unseen damage. Behind her Bethany could hear a few gasps, and one or two “Wows!”. The swaying wall fell next, then she concentrated on convincing all the glass to break.  She kept her eyes on the door however, waiting for a reaction from the house’s inhabitants.

“Can we move yet?, or are you about to knock something else down?” Xander hadn’t opened his mouth in hours, he’d spent the whole night holding Anya, and trying not think about Buffy. Seeing Beth tear off the roof had returned a little of his usual smart-assed humor.

“Actually Xander, you get to stay out here a little while, you and Anya can guard our clothes.” Oz and his friends removed their clothes quickly, none of them seeming the least bit embarrassed by their nudity. Willow couldn’t resist peeking at Oz, she was a little surprised by his increase in bulk, he’d never been skinny, but now he was built. She blushed down to her toes when he caught her eye, “Will, you might want to turn around now, this is the part you hate.” It took her a second to understand, then she grabbed Tara’s arm and spun her around as well. She could hear that awful, wet, crackling sound Oz’s body made during the change, only this was worse, she could hear the other’s as well, and if she kept looking straight ahead she knew she’d probably see it reflected in the windows of the car in front of her. In the end she squeezed her eyes shut and stuck her fingers in her ears, trying to block out the assorted half-howls of pain, she couldn’t stand thinking about how much it hurt.

“You can turn around now.” Anya looked a little green, but otherwise seemed unaffected. “I wonder why no one’s come out yet?”

“Considering the magnitude of the storm Willow summoned, they probably believe a tornado has struck, thus the apparent lack of reaction.” Wesley knew he sounded like a pompous ass, but he was too nervous to care.

“Less talk, more rescue. Can we go?” Cordelia snapped.

One of the wolves, presumably Oz barked in response. The other wolves responded immediately, running full speed at the still silent house. Abruptly the path was blocked by a large group, most of them apparently demons, all of them armed to the teeth. Bethany snatched away weapons as fast as she could, hurling them to the side, after a few minutes Angel and Spike joined the fray. When Willow and the others would have followed Cordelia stopped them. “We need to get into the house.”

“Head over to the right, I’ll make a door.” Bethany had given up holding off the rain, now she used the last of her energy, pushing battle crazed demons into each other. Wesley caught her when she collapsed.

“Put her in Oz’s van. Anya, you stay out here.” Giles ordered.

“No, I’m going in with the rest of you. I owe Buffy and Ligeia owes me. It’s time to settle a few things.” Anya could feel Xander revving up to argue, but Joyce cut him off with a wave of her hand. She hadn’t spoken since they left the magic shop.

“I’m okay, I just have one fuck of a headache. Leave me a weapon, and the keys. I’ll be fine.” 

“Right, well let’s go.” Tara started walking fast...nearly running in fact, Oz and Willow moving quickly to catch up. The others found themselves running as well, all along it had felt like something was holding them back, suddenly that feeling was gone. Angel paused in his killing, realizing abruptly that Buffy was still inside the house. These creatures were between him and Buffy, more of them appearing every time he thought he saw an end in sight, knowing suddenly that they were just a way to keep him busy. *The First is in this.*

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