Disclaimer: No way do any of them belong to me. I don't own anything. Just ask my cat!
Spoilers: Everything through Eternity and Superstar, just to be safe.
Summary: What happens when you get Angel, Wesley, Cordelia, Willow, Buffy, Faith, Kate and Riley all together? Yeah, I was wondering too.
Distribution: Please go ahead. Just tell me where it is so I can do a happy dance
Feedback: Please! This is my first try at this, and I'm a little nervous about it. Any feedback is good. Even constructive criticism. But that isn't preferred. :-) If you do like it though, say something or I won't continue.
Rating: PG-13? I really don't know. It won't get any worse than R though, and even that's unlikely

Part 1

"What do you care? I want to have a little peace of mind. Stressing is bad, and it causes premature aging. Why do you want to ruin my looks Wesley? Are you determined to destroy my career before it ever gets fully off the ground? Why are you being so selfish?" Cordelia demanded.

"What?" Wesley was curious. "I just think that if you are going to request that Willow do a spell on Angel, you should at least inform Angel of your intentions. Don't you think he has the right to know some of what's going on? Besides, you know that I have only the highest regards of your acting." Wesley trailed off, as he couldn't come up with a better lie.

"Oh, shove it. Just because I'm beautiful doesn't mean I'm stupid, you know!"

"I never meant. Oh, never mind. Call away. I give up. Angel can fight his own battles." Wesley walked off before he could get himself into any deeper trouble.

Cordelia grinned in triumph. Men are so easy. She picked up the phone and dialed the number she had found that morning in Angel's desk. "Hello, Willow? It's Cordelia." She announced.

"Cordelia? Umm, hi. Buffy's not here. Is something wrong with Angel? Because they're not together anymore, and I don't think she needs to worry about him too, what with Riley being so sick recently." Willow babbled.

"Geez, rude much? I just wanted to know if you could finally do spells right. Can you? Are you good yet? And the good manners thing to say is 'how are you?'"

"Oh. Yeah, I've gotten better. Why do you care?"

"Who died and made you the grouch? Did you get a B or something?"

"Well, no. I'm sorry, I just-"

"Never mind. I don't really care. I need you to do an immune-to-happy-drugs spell. Specifically, drugs like doxymal."

"Doxymal? I don't know. I think I saw a spell that sounds kind of what you're looking for, but I'd have to double check and call you back. What happened? Why do you need that kind of a spell?"

"It's a long story. Thanks. Talk to you later!" Cordelia chirped.

"Ok-" Willow was interrupted by the phone slamming down into the receiver. "Well, it's nice to know that she's changed, and grown as a person."

"Willow? Who was that?" Buffy asked as she came into their room, shedding layers of clothes as she walked. "Anyone interesting?"

"Just Cordelia. And I suppose you could say she's always interesting, at least."

"Cordelia?" Buffy suddenly focused her full attention on Willow. "Is everything ok? Is Angel alright?" She demanded in what was rapidly becoming a panic.

"She said everything was fine. She wanted me to do a spell for her. A no drugs spell. that specifically causes immunity to 'happy' drugs! Buffy! Do you think Angel's doing drugs?" Willow and Buffy stared at each other in horror for a moment, before the mental image of Angel doing drugs caused them both to burst into hysterical laughter.

Quickly sobering, though, Buffy said, "When you have to cast the spell, I want to go with you. Just in case. I don't want you in any danger, Will."

"Are you sure." Willow stopped upon seeing her own 'resolve face' on her roommate's countenance. She and Buffy abruptly smiled at each other in perfect understanding.

***

Crash. Followed by a bang. Not generally good news noises to those sitting in the office. "Oh, dear. What kind of trouble could Cordelia have found herself in just getting something from your car?" Wesley asked as he and Angel raced out the door.

The site that met them in the alleyway was definitely the worst kind of news. Cordelia was lying on the ground, obviously unconscious. And standing next to her, holding a business like revolver, was a tough as nails looking brunette. "Faith." Angel whispered in shock.

"What, B didn't call and tell you I was awake? And I thought what you guys had was eternal. I mean, it was obviously enough to kill me over." She announced sarcastically.

Wesley moved closer to Cordelia, trying to determine whether there was still any hope for her. "Back off, Wes. The priss ain't going anywhere." Faith ordered as she pointed the gun straight at him, keeping an eye on Angel. "I mean, I'm deeply hurt that this is the reunion that we're having. I was hoping for a little more, I don't know, drama? When B's out of the picture, you guys really are dull."

"Buffy." Angel was really beginning to be proud of his ability to talk. "You better not have touched her."

"Oh, don't worry. She's fine. I left her in the arms of her new lover. She was moaning, but I don't think it was in pain." Faith informed them. Just then, Cordelia groaned, and Faith's attention was diverted for the split second that Angel required to get close enough to attack. He violently knocked the gun out of her hand, and viciously backhanded her across the face. "Get her out of here!" He commanded Wesley, as he doubled up in pain from Faith's roundhouse kick to his stomach.

"You forget. I like it rough." Faith reminded him as he rejoined the fight. However, she had managed to pull out some sort of powder and threw it at him as they traded vicious blows. As he was concentrating on restraining the evil slayer, he didn't pay much attention to it. Especially since it didn't seem to hamper his skills in any way.

After carrying Cordelia inside, Wesley returned to the alley just in time to see Angel knock Faith on the head with her gun, and watch as she crumbled to the ground. "Come on. Let's get her chained up before she wakes up. Again." Angel decided, right before passing out himself.

"Oh, dear. This really can't be good. How did I manage to end up with the care of three insensate people?" Wesley opted to drag Faith in first, and make sure she was securely restrained before reclaiming Angel. He only hoped that the vampire would be okay for the time being, as he really didn't have many other options.

Part 2

"AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Cordelia screeched, once she finally woke up.

"Are you okay? Would you like some tylenol?" Wesley asked, wincing.

"Yes. And I'm NOT okay. I mean, just look at me! I'm covered in horrible, disgusting alley muck! And these are two hundred dollar shoes!! And now they're ruined!!" She sobbed.

"Oh. Well. How is your head? Are you feeling dizzy? Nausea?"

"Eww. No. I have a headache, but nothing worse than when I get a vision. Where's my tylenol, by the way?"

"Right. Sorry." Wesley apologized, as he quickly went to retrieve the pain killer and water for her.

"All I'm saying is that Angel owes me some serious hazard pay. My clothes can't take this kind of treatment. Where is he, anyway?"

"He too is unconscious. Faith doused him with some sort of powder, and he passed out right after she did. I'm trying to analyze what it is, but so far I haven't had any success. I have them chained up downstairs. I didn't want to take any chances. There are going to be no repeats of the last incident."

"Ah HA! I was right!! I told you we'd need an anti-drug spell. Admit it. I was right!" Cordelia gloated.

"Alright. I suppose that doing a spell really wouldn't be harmful, but if you'll recall, it wasn't the spell I objected to. It was doing it without his knowledge." Wesley defended himself.

"Just admit I was right." She ordered.

"You were right." He sighed. There really was no point in arguing with her.

"Hello?" Asked a timid voice, right before a redhead peeked into the room where they were sitting.

"Willow! Hi. Do come in. I assume you are here for Cordelia's spell?" Wesley welcomed her.

"Hi Wesley. I didn't expect to see you here. Yeah, I am. It's for Angel, right?"

"Yeah! Who else would it be for?!" Cordelia demanded, sulking because the first time she saw one of the old gang in a while she looked like something out of a grade-B horror movie. That's when they heard a lot more voices coming into the office. Cordelia looked up in horror.

".all I'm saying is, when I was military guy, I definitely could've taken you out."

".oh, for heaven's sake."

".Xander, why do we have to be here again."

".I'm sure."

".no, 99 bottles of beer on the wall is not a classic anything."

The loud group came stomping into the office, where they all stopped dead at the site of Cordelia. Her hair was untidy. Her clothes were stained. And she had a little bit of blood on the side of her temple. She looked like hell.

"Good God, Cordelia. Are you alright?" Giles demanded.

"No! No I'm not alright! Do I look alright to you?!" She yelled. "And another thing. Have none of you ever heard of a phone? Is that beyond your meager social skills?" She ranted.

"What are you talking about?" Buffy asked curiously.

"I'm talking about FAITH! Would it have been sooo hard for you to call and maybe say something like, oh I don't know, crazy evil psycho bitch slayer is awake?!"

"Faith's been here?" Xander asked incredulously.

"I believe that's what I just said. You couldn't get over yourself for even a second Buffy, and just leave a message?"

"Hey! I don't know you, but that's unfair. Buffy is the epitome of selfless! She is a wonderful person who-" Riley began.

"Spare me. I get enough of that as it is. But her selfishness is what got me looking like this, and Angel unconscious! Just because she's still mad at him is no reason I should have to suffer!"

"Angel." Buffy's eyes began to frantically search for her ex. "Is he okay?"

"Well, he looks the same. There aren't many physical damages, and those are almost healed anyway. but I have yet to determine what the drug she dosed him with was, and though I suspect they're related, I don't know why he's unconscious, either." Wesley informed them.

"Wait, didn't you say the drug was doxymal?" Willow asked. "Has he been out for that long? I didn't realize the urgency for the spell."

"No." Cordelia said witheringly, in fine form now. "That was the drug Rebecca gave him. Faith just gave him this drug about an hour ago."

"And do you know anything about Faith's plans now? Will she be attacking again soon?" Giles asked.

"I don't really care what Faith's plans are. She won't be attacking any way other than verbally."

Part 3

"What?"

"We have Faith chained up downstairs." Wesley clarified.

"You managed to chain her up? You?" Buffy demanded.

"Leave him alone! Obviously you failed, but there's no reason to take out your hostility on Wesley!" Cordelia yelled at her, using any excuse at all, even that one, for taking her anger out on Buffy.

"Leave her alone!" Riley demanded, beginning to get thoroughly irritated with the beautiful but dirty brunette who couldn't seem to leave his girlfriend alone. It sparked all his manly protective instincts.

"Why don't we all just calm down, and try and elucidate the circumstances-" Giles was interrupted in his reasonableness.

"Giles, haven't we talked about all the many words? Just say, 'Everyone shush. Wesley, explain.' It's terribly simple, really."

"Why thank you, Xander. It's so much clearer for me now." Giles said with extreme sarcasm.

"Umm, guys. I'm sorry to interrupt, but I can check Angel and see if it's just a regular drug, or if it's something mystical that's infecting him." Tara spoke up shyly.

"Really? Can you make sure he's not evil again?" If so, this pale girl was going to be Cordelia's new best friend from the look on her face. "Hi, I'm Cordelia, by the way."

"Evil? Your old friend was evil?" Riley asked Buffy in confusion.

"No, ANGEL was never evil. Why can no one else see the difference?!" Buffy demanded, in what was obviously an old complaint. "And besides that, he was evil a way long time ago!"

"No he wasn't. He was evil last week!" Cordelia yelled just for the sake of yelling at Buffy. She realized she could have just as easily said that in a normal tone of voice, and decided to do something about that next time. Her headache was beginning to take on monstrous proportions.

"He was evil last week?" Buffy asked in a broken voice. "I suppose he found true happiness somehow?"

Cordelia's resolution was out the window. "Yeah! Where have you been! What do you think the doxymal did?! God, I thought college was supposed to make you smarter!"

"Oh." Buffy felt stupid. "And how did he get this doxycrawl, anyway?"

"First of all, it's DOXYMAL, and second Rebecca Lowell gave it to him."

"Rebecca Lowell? As in Raven? From On Your Own?" Willow squealed, her voice reaching way up into the higher octaves. Everyone winced. "Oh. Sorry." She said sheepishly.

"Yes, that Rebecca." Cordelia said condescendingly.

"How does Angel know Rebecca Lowell?" Buffy asked with what could only be called jealousy.

"Well, Rebecca and I came to be friends after Angel shoved her out of the way of a car."

"Cordelia, why don't you take Tara and Willow to go check on Angel, while I fill the rest in on what's going on, ok? Will you be alright?" Wesley asked, deciding to take charge before the meeting could get even more out of hand.

"Yeah, sure. I'm fine. Never felt better." Cordelia shared as she slowly stood up. And promptly fell back down. "That was nothing." Wesley assissted her and waited till she could stand before he let her go.

"Just call if you need anything." Wesley instructed her retreating back as Cordelia led Willow and Tara down to Angel's apartment. "Now, down to business. Won't you all please take a seat? We hadn't realized so many of you would come." He said as everyone found a place to plop down, but avoiding the space Cordelia had so recently vacated, as it smelled.

"Well, just Willow was going to come and do the spell, but I wanted to come with, just in case something went wrong, and she needed some back up." Buffy explained. "And then since I was going, Riley decided to come, and Willow brought Tara to help with the spell, and Giles came because he was looking for a book, that he finally found in this large occult store here in LA, and I'm not really sure why Anya and Xander came. Why did you guys come?" She ended her babble.

"I don't know. I came because Xander did." Anya announced.

"And I came because I certainly wasn't going to be left alone in Sunnydale, not with all the protective type people gone."

"Yes, well. Cordelia wished for Willow to cast a spell on Angel that would render him impervious to narcotics, so that there wouldn't be a repeat performance of Angelus' actions last week. What you seem to have just stumbled in upon is the outcome of our encounter with Faith. She knocked Cordelia unconscious, and although Angel managed to subdue her, she threw an unidentifiable powder at him and he is currently unconscious as well. I suppose Willow and Tara will cast Cordelia's drug spell, and hopefully that will fight the effects of whatever Faith has dosed him with. May I get anyone anything? Coffee? Tea? Although I should warn you that Cordelia is the one who brews them."

"Some tea would be excellent, Wesley, thank you." Giles said as he removed his glasses and wiped them with a handkerchief. "Could we help with the research? Where is Faith, by the way?"

"I have Faith chained downstairs also. I didn't know where to put her. And yes, help would be most welcomed. My best theory is that it might not be drugs, it's possibly a spell, but not knowing any of the specifics, your guess is as good as mine as to what it might do. The lab sample should be done by ten tomorrow morning, and then we'll know for sure what the substance is."

Part 4

"Ugh. This is the most disgusting stuff I have ever put into my mouth!" Anya shouted, spitting her tea back out.

"And knowing Anya, that's saying something." Buffy remarked.

"Hey!" Xander responded, and was roundly ignored.

"It's kind of true, though, Wesley. How do you drink this stuff?" Buffy continued.

"This? Oh, I don't. There is a Starbucks about four blocks away."

"So, does anyone want to explain to me how you all know each other, anyway? I'm a little confused." Riley suddenly asked. He was a little jealous of the fact that Buffy seemed to know Wesley so well. The guy was English, and smart, and he knew girls sometimes went for the whole accent thing. And on top of that, when they all sat down, she sat down next to him, Wesley, instead of himself. What kind of wussy name was Wesley, anyway? He knew he probably had nothing to worry about, it was most likely just that he had been hanging out with Forrest too much lately. "I mean, Buffy hasn't mentioned any of you, and it seems like you guys are pretty good friends." There, that should show that Wesley guy that he doesn't mean much to her anymore, if he ever did.

"I replaced Mr. Giles as Buffy and Faith's watcher, when he was released from his responsibilities from the council." Wesley began to explain.

"And now he hunts rogue demons." Cordelia finished for him, coming into the room, toweling her hair dry.

Buffy was more than a little jealous now. Apparently Cordelia had a drawer, and when she had asked Angel for one, he had broken up with her! When he woke up, he was going to have some serious explaining to do.

"Tara figured out that there is some sort of spell on the powder, but we're pretty sure that the spell is based on something that's also working on him. That powder most likely is a drug, although what it does, I don't know." Willow said, following Cordelia back into the room, with Tara bringing up the rear.

"Well, do you know what the spell does?" Wesley asked, obviously greatly concerned for the vampire.

"Yeah. That's the bad news. Apparently the spell makes the recipient live out his or her worst nightmare, or most painful memory, until he or she manages to have some sort of closure to it. I can't even begin to imagine what Angel's most painful memory is, but Tara knows a spell that we can try, so that you can see what he's seeing. Because we need to break the effects of the spell as soon as possible, because the longer the spell goes on, the more likely the recipient is to go insane." Willow said worriedly, very nervous about what sort of person an insane Angel might be. "Tara almost didn't recognize it, but she saw it done to someone once, and it made an impression."

"Well, do the spell then! We need to know what he's facing so we know what to do to fight it!" Buffy said agitatedly.

That's when the door opened again. "Hello?" Kate called from the entryway.

"Kate! We're all in here. Please come in!" Wesley called to her. "Were you able to determine what the substance was?"

"Wow. I didn't realize you had so much company. Yeah, it's a drug that's becoming more popular in the gang wars, Erithostan. It's absorbed through contact with the skin, and induces a deep sleep, or unconsciousness. Some don't even wake up from it." She explained, looking around in curiosity at all the occupants of the room as she handed the folder to Wesley. "Where's Angel?"

"Unfortunately, he's the one who was dosed with the Erithostan. He's downstairs."

"Oh. Wow, so it works even on va.ntriloquists?" She asked, remembering something Cordelia had once said, and not knowing if the others in the room were aware of his undead status.

"What? Oh. Yes. Apparently it works quite well on vampires." Wesley assured her.

"VAMPIRES?!" Riley yelled. "You didn't tell me your friend was a hostile, Buffy! First, hostile 17, now this one! Aren't you supposed to kill vampires? Not make friends with them? Isn't that your sacred duty, or whatever?"

"Calm down, Riley. Angel's different." Buffy tried to explain.

"Different, how? Didn't they just say he was evil? I'm not stupid, Buffy, and I think I have a right to know what's going on!"

"It's not like that! Angel is different! He has his soul!"

"What does a soul have to do with anything?" Riley demanded.

"You really do know nothing about the creatures you hunt. When vampires are made, first they have to drink your blood, and then you have to drink their blood. It's this whole big sucking thing. But when you become a vampire, your soul is gone. Your body is infected with a demon that may look like you, talk like you, and have your memories, but it's not you. The soul is gone, you have no conscience, and no remorse. It's an easy way to live." She finished off, remembering when she had first learned all this.

"Well, how did this Angel guy keep his soul then?" Riley asked, positive there was something wrong with this logic.

"He didn't. He was one of the most vicious vampires that ever lived, he was known as the Scourge of Europe, the Demon with the Face of an Angel. But then one day he fed off a gypsy girl, who was a favorite in her clan, and to punish him, they cursed him with his soul."

"What kind of a curse is that? I would think he would be happy to have his soul back."

"Are you kidding? He had to live with the memory of all that he'd done, all those that he killed, and drove insane. And care. He has to live with all that guilt, and suffer for the actions of a demon over whom he had no control." Kate suddenly felt guilty listening to this little blonde girl. She had had no idea how painful being a vampire was to Angel, and she hadn't exactly been nice to him about it.

"Well, then what's this about him being evil recently?"

"Well, that was another little gift from the gypsies. They built a happiness clause into his curse. If he ever achieved true happiness, even for one moment, then the curse would be broken, and Angelus would return."

Riley was beginning to feel sorry for this hostile despite himself. "Why would they want to do that? Wouldn't they want him to remain guilty for all time, so that he wouldn't kill anymore people?"

"You'd think so, right? But no. They weren't trying to protect the innocent when they cursed him. They were trying to make the soul suffer for the actions of the demon, and since the curse was predicated on suffering, the second he achieved any true happiness, it was dispelled, and he was no different from any other vampire. The curse is designed to carry out vengeance, not justice." Buffy finally finished explaining, close to tears at all the memories this retelling had conjured up.

Part 5

"Well, now that we're done with the cliff notes version of Angel's life, don't you think we should try helping him? Willow, do you have everything you need for the spell?" Cordelia was ready to get down to business.

"Almost. I just need a mirror, to give the spell something to reflect his memories on, but he doesn't have one, does he? I have all the other ingredients I need."

"Of course he doesn't. You'd think it would kill him to not see himself once in a while. But I had one installed in the bathroom up here. We can take it down, and use that right?" Not waiting for an answer, Cordelia turned to Xander. "Xander, go bring the mirror downstairs. It's in that room over there." She pointed him on his way, and then promptly went back to ignoring him. Xander, long used to similar treatment from Cordelia, did as she said without even bothering trying to argue. Since Anya was pretty much permabonded to his side, she followed him, and watched as he struggled to bring the heavy mirror down to Angel's arpartment.

"Right. So, Willow, what do you need the rest of us to do?" Buffy asked, coming out of her Angel daze.

"You guys are just going to have to sit and hold some candles. It's not a very complicated spell. But, Buffy, I don't want you in the circle.

"Why not?" Buffy asked, hurt. "I want to help him too!"

"I know you do. It's just, I imagine that if anyone is going to help him get out of his pain, it's you, so you'll need to be able to move, if necessary."

"Oh. Ok, then."

"Why would Buffy be the one to help him out of his pain?" Riley was beginning to have a sinking feeling that part of the story had been left out. Why did Buffy seem to have such an emotional tie to this vampire? Surely, not.I mean, she's the slayer. The closest she'd ever get with a hostile, is just friends, right? I have nothing to worry about. I have nothing to worry about. I have nothing to worry about. Riley began to chant in his head. For some reason, he could feel his tie to Buffy becoming weaker by the second, and for no apparent reason. I have nothing to worry about.

"Not now, Riley, ok? It's too long of a story to start now." Buffy said, giving him a tired look, that for the life of him, Riley couldn't figure out. I have nothing to worry about.

"Can I help too?" Kate suddenly reminded them of her presence. She felt she at least owed Angel that much after what she'd said to him.

"Sure. All help is welcome." Willow assured her. "Giles! Wesley! We're going to start the spell now!" She yelled to the two former watchers in the adjacent room where they had been doing what they did best, reading dusty old occult novels. There really was no accounting for taste.

"Wow. I think I like chains. Xander we need to do chains." Anya suddenly announced from her place beside the bed.

"Anya!" Xander said, turning bright red. "Remember what we said about private conversations!"

"Who's the kinky chick, Xander? I never thought you'd go in for something like that. Or that you'd last long with someone who needs-"

"SHUT UP, FAITH!" Buffy yelled, totally at her wit's end with all the dark slayer's comments. They had been endless, ever since the moment she'd woken up. And much too personal to make anyone comfortable. Buffy had finally had more than she could take. "Cordelia, is there something we could use to keep her quiet? Anything?" Cordelia nodded and left the room in search of something suitable.

"What? The truth bothers you, B? I'm just trying to give your guy some pointers, I could tell he could use some, and Angel was certainly magnificent. I was sure you'd thank me." Faith said clearly, and with enough clarity that even Riley totally understood what she was implying. Beyond the insult, this was how he had to learn that his lover's previous lover had been a vampire? Wasn't there a name for that? Like necrophilia?

"Buffy. I think now is a good time to talk. You were intimate with a vampire? When were you planning on telling me?"

"No, Riley. Now is not a good time to talk, at all. And I wasn't planning on telling you. I don't think it's any of your business."

"NOT MY BUSINESS?" Riley yelled. "I think it's DEFINITELY my business! Something couldn't be MORE my business!"

"Oops. Did I start something?" Faith asked innocently from her corner, obviously relishing every second of Buffy's trauma.

Kate wasn't sure what sort of people these were, but she was quickly learning WAY more about them than she needed to know. Seeing the murderous look come over Buffy's face, she quickly intercepted the smaller girl on her way to the nasty-mouthed brunette. Where on earth did Angel meet such a group of teens? "Don't do something you'll regret. Homicide is a very serious offense, Buffy. And all she's doing is talking."

"You're a little late for that, blondie. Attempted homicide, me, and B go way back. From what I remember, that was because of Angel too. Did you tell your new boy toy about that, Buff? How you tried to kill me to feed to a vampire?"

Buffy easily broke the restraining hands Kate had placed on her arms. The rest of the scooby gang just watched. Knowing WAY better than to interfere with a pissed off Buffy, especially when she was feeling protective over Angel. She carefully walked over to Faith, squatted next to her, and backhanded her as hard as she could across the face. "Don't you dare mention his name again. I don't care whether or not you're human. I swear to God, that if you say his name one more time, I'll stake you myself. And this time, the mayor won't even have to worry about disposing of the body because he's long dead. And so will you be." Buffy said in a voice made more threatening because of its very gentle, quiet tone.

Kate was shocked. There was no way that tiny little girl should have been able to break out of her hold. And especially not with the ease she had. Kate was very quickly beginning to feel out of her depth. She didn't know these people, and apparently they were no strangers to violence. She felt torn between arresting them, and helping them. How many people had that petite little girl killed?! From the way she spoke, it sounded like an infinite amount.

"Which one, B? Whose name don't you want me to mention? Your old flame's? Or your new one? You're a real piece of work, did you know that. Who is it you're really worried about? Angel," And Faith obviously said the name with relish, "or Riley? Who is it, B? Which one of the guys that you have wrapped around your perfect little fingers are you worried about?"

Cordelia silently came up behind Buffy and handed her a large roll of masking tape. "Go to town, Buffy. No one wants to hear the evil little skank anymore."

"Thank you, Cordelia." Buffy said quietly, before hitting Faith once more. This time hard enough to stun the other girl into stillness for enough time to place the tape over her mouth. Kate was really moving quite far into the realm of shock now. Where on earth did that girl get her strength? And the other one, as well? No one should have been able to stand that first hit, and certainly not the second. Both of which the darker girl had, and continued to bait the blonde. What on earth was the story there?

"Be careful, Buffy. There's a fine line between justice and excessive violence. Make sure you don't allow yourself to fall into the same trap as she did." Giles calmly reminded his slayer, the girl who was more like a daughter to him than anyone else on earth.

"No worries, Giles. I can handle it. And let's not forget, she's evil. She deserves more than a little violence for all that she's done."

"Yes, but it's not always up to you to hand out the punishment."

"Oh. And who are we going to send her to, the Watcher's Council? Does anyone else remember what a failure that was the previous two times?"

"Two times?" Wesley asked, looking confused. "I only tried to send her once."

"Yeah, well, when she first woke up, we fought, and she had some sort of device that switched our bodies. So I almost got taken to the council also. And let me say, they really need to hire better guards. Those were pathetically easy to escape from." Buffy explained.

"Buffy, we definitely need to talk when this is over." Riley stated.

Buffy looked at him sadly. "Yeah, we really do."

"Alright everyone. The preparations are done. If you'd just take your places please, we can get started." Willow informed them, breaking up the tension heavy in the room.

Go to Part 6