Author: Dayna

E-mail: honzr@midstate.tds.net

Distribution: TPWFLD; Angel of Mine; otherwise please ask.

Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement intended.

Rating: PG-13

Author's Note: This takes place after 'Dopplegangland', so spoilers are possible through that episode.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Faith walked into the Bronze and scanned the crowd. She smiled slightly as she found the people she was looking for. As she began walking over to them, Faith experienced a momentary twinge of guilt at what she was about to do, but she quickly shook it off.

"Hey, guys, I'm glad you're still here." Faith said as she stopped by the table.

Willow and Angel both looked up. They hadn't seen Faith for weeks. She was still undergoing training and evaluation.

"What do you want Faith?" Willow asked.

"B sent me to get you two. She's at the park."

"We're supposed to meet her here. Why is she at the park?" Angel asked.

"Look, all I know is she said something's come up. She and Xander are waiting at the park, and I'm supposed to send you guys over there, then go get Giles. That's all she told me. You know I'm pretty much kept out of the loop these days." Faith said bitterly.

"Well, thanks for the message. Angel, we better go see what's wrong." Willow said.

Angel nodded, and Faith watched as they left the Bronze. "So easy."

Faith left the Bronze and went back to her grungy motel room. She plopped down on the bed and flipped on the TV, wondering how long it would take Buffy to come to her for help. As Faith listened to the sounds of the people in the next room, she desperately wished she was in her new pad.

Willow and Angel stood in the deserted park. There was no sign of Xander or Buffy.

"Where do you suppose they are? You don't think something happened to them, do you?" Willow asked.

"I don't know. This is strange."

As Angel and Willow continued through the park, their path was suddenly blocked by several vampires.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

Angel watched the vampires, and whispered to Willow. "Run, Willow, go now!"

Willow turned to do as Angel told her, when she noticed that there were vampires everywhere. "I can't."

Angel took a second to look behind them, and noticed that they were completely surrounded. Reaching behind him, he pulled Willow up against him. Willow clutched at the back of his jacket.

"Let the girl go. She's got nothing to do with this." Angel said.

"Sorry, can't do that. We have our orders." The vampire in charge said.

"What kind of orders? Who sent you?" Angel asked.

"Can't tell you who we work for.....it's a secret. But, we have orders to bring you and the hacker with us."

Angel looked from one side to the other, trying to figure a way out of the situation. He kept one arm stretched out behind him to keep Willow close.

"Trying to figure out how to escape? You may be able to take out a couple of us, maybe even get out yourself, but we'd kill the girl before you had a chance to stop it. We're supposed to bring you in alive, but 'accidents' do happen. It'd be a shame if your little girlfriend wound up dead because of your stupidity."

Angel knew that the other vampire was right. There was no way he could get Willow out of there safely. Angel pulled Willow into his arms, and acknowledged his surrender. Alive, he had a chance of saving them, dead he was no good to anyone.

Vampires grabbed Angel and Willow, blindfolding them before pushing them to walk. Angel's mind was trying to formulate a plan, while he concentrated on the sound of Willow's breathing. He needed to reassure himself that she was still there.

Several moments later, Angel heard a door being opened then he was shoved forward. Quickly taking off the blindfold, Angel saw only a brief light before Willow was shoved into the room, and the door slammed shut. Angel caught her in his arms.

"Willow, it's me. Hold still." Angel told the struggling Willow.

Angel untied Willow's blindfold, and Willow threw herself in his arms. Angel wrapped his arms around her, as he surveyed the room. The cell had a cot and that was it. There were no windows, so he wouldn't have to worry about the sun. Setting Willow down on the cot, Angel walked over to the door and pushed against it. The door wouldn't budge.

"Damnit!"

"Angel, what's going on? Why did they take us?"

Angel walked back and sat down next to Willow. "I don't know. Something strange is going on. Whoever's behind this wants us alive. But I don't have a clue why."

Willow mumbled something, as she began pacing the room.

"What did you say?" Angel asked.

"She set us up, Angel. Faith set us up."

Angel started to say that it wasn't possible, but stopped. "You're right. But why did she do it?"

"I don't know, but I'm scared Angel. No one knows where we are."

Angel walked over to Willow and pulled her into his arms. He was powerless to get them out of the cell. He'd keep his eyes open for an opportunity to strike, but he didn't think he'd get one. Whoever was in charge knew who he was, who they both were. The one thing Angel could do was protect Willow, and hope that Buffy figured out what happened to them.

End Part 1

Giles was sitting in the library, reading through some books he'd just received from the Watcher's Council, when Buffy and Xander came in.

"Hey Giles, you seen Willow or Angel tonight?" Buffy asked as she plopped into a chair.

"No, I haven't. I thought I told you that you could have tonight free. I didn't expect to see you here." Giles said.

"Well, we wouldn't be if Will and dead-boy were where they were supposed to be." Xander said.

Giles looked at Xander and shook his head. Sometimes that boy made things so difficult.

"Willow and Angel were supposed to meet us at the Bronze. We were there, but no sign of them. We've looked all over for them, and can't find them." Buffy stated.

"Maybe they were just running late, and you missed each other." Giles said.

"I don't know, I have a bad feeling about this. It's not like Willow to not show up."

"Buffy, why don't you both go and recheck the places they might be. Chances are you'll run into them. If not, we can cross that bridge when we get to it. Ok?" Giles asked.

"Yeah, you're probably right. But, if they show up here, just have them wait here. I don't want to be playing tag all night." Buffy said as she grabbed Xander and left the library.

Faith was stretched out on her bed when the phone rang.

"Excellent work, Faith. No one suspects anything."

"Hey, Sugar daddy." Faith said into the phone.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? Now, have you heard from Summers yet?"

"Nope. B's probably still looking for them. I won't hear from her until tomorrow." Faith answered.

"Well, just make sure you follow the plan. I want her distracted so she stays out of my way."

"Don't worry about it. Her ex-lover and best friend are missing....that's pretty much going to take top priority."

"Good, that's what I want to hear. Things are going according to my plans, and I want that to continue."

Faith couldn't help but ask, "How are they?"

The Mayor chuckled. "Ahhh, isn't that sweet? Are you concerned about your little friends?"

"Don't be stupid. I was just curious."

"They're alive.......for now. That's all you need to know."

"Whatever." Faith said, rapidly losing interest in the conversation.

"I'll call again tomorrow."

Faith hung up the phone, then went back to watching TV. She didn't let her thoughts dwell on what was going to happen to Angel and Willow. {I don't know, and I don't care.} Faith told herself.

Buffy and Xander searched Sunnydale for their friends. After an hour of searching, they knew something was wrong. The teenagers headed back to the library, and told Giles that Angel and Willow had disappeared. They began searching through books for any clues or prophecies that might explain their disappearance.

Meanwhile, Angel and Willow sat huddled together in a darkened cell. They were trapped with no way out. And Angel knew he was powerless to save them. Looking down at the girl in his arms, Angel vowed that he would give his life to protect her......that was all he could do now.

End Part 2

"Where can they be, Giles?" Buffy asked worriedly.

"I don't know. But, we have to believe that they are alive."

"Oh, that's reassuring. They're maybe alive, but we don't have a clue where they are or what happened to them!"

Buffy put a hand on Xander's shoulder. "You need to calm down."

"Calm down? My best friend is god-knows-where, and you want me to calm down?" Xander asked.

"We all need to keep ourselves together, Xander. Willow and Angel need our help right now." Giles said.

"They *need* us to find them!" Xander yelled.

Giles rubbed his forehead, "Are you sure you've checked everywhere you can think of? What about the mansion?"

"We checked it Giles. We've searched and re-searched everyplace. They are no where to be found." Buffy answered.

"Alright, let's go over what we know." Giles began.

"We don't *know* anything, that's the problem." Xander said.

"Xander, getting hysterical isn't going to help anyone. Now, as I was saying, we need to go through the things we do know." Giles said.

"We know that Angel was going to pick Willow up and meet us at the Bronze, and we know they didn't show up." Xander answered.

Giles began pacing. "And we can assume that if they were kidnapped, it was by a superior force."

"Huh?" Buffy asked.

"Angel wouldn't allow himself and Willow to be captured if he could prevent it. Which means he was outnumbered or overpowered." Giles explained.

"That's assuming they're still alive. We don't have any proof that they aren't dead!" Xander said angrily.

"And we have less reason to believe that they were killed. If Willow had been killed, we would've found her body. So until I know otherwise, I'm going to believe that they are alive. Now, following with that assumption, we can figure they were abducted and are being held prisoner someplace. So, next we figure out who and why." Giles said.

"We have to find them, Giles. I can't lose them both." Buffy said softly.

"We have to hope and pray for their safety. You know that Angel will do everything in his power to protect Willow. Our job is to find them. Let's get started." Giles reassured them.

Giles sent Buffy and Xander back to the Bronze to see if anyone remembered seeing Angel or Willow. Giles continued searching through his books, but he doubted he would find the answers there.

Buffy and Xander had come up with nothing. No one had paid any attention to the comings and goings of other people. They were about to leave, when Buffy saw Percy.

"Wait here, Xander."

Buffy approached the jock. "Percy, have you seen Willow tonight?"

The jock paled at the mention of Willow. "She was here earlier."

"She was? Was she alone?" Buffy asked.

"Why the sudden questions? Do I look like information?" Percy asked.

Buffy didn't have time to play games with the jock. "Look, I'm supposed to meet Willow, and I'd *really* hate to have to tell her that you wouldn't help me find her. You do remember what happened the last time you ticked her off."

Percy flinched at the memory of how Willow had beaten him up. He had learned his lesson, and kept his distance. "She was with some guy. I've seen him here before."

"Did you see when they left?" Buffy asked.

"I don't know, it was after that girl stopped to talk to them. They took off pretty quickly after that."

"What girl? Describe her."

Percy gave Buffy the description. {Faith? What does she have to do with this?} "Did she go with them?"

"No. She stayed here for a few minutes, then followed them out. I haven't seen any of them since. Are we through now?"

Buffy nodded, and walked back to Xander. She repeated her findings to Xander.

"I think it's time to pay Faith a visit. Find out what she had to talk to Angel and Willow about." Xander said.

"Yeah, but don't mention that we know she saw them. We'll just tell her they're missing, and ask if she's seen them."

"Ok, but why?" Xander asked.

"I just want to be sure."

Buffy and Xander headed to Faith's motel room. Something wasn't adding up. Buffy suspected that Faith was somehow involved, but she hoped she was wrong. Because if Faith had anything to do with Angel and Willow's disappearance, Buffy would make sure she paid.

End Part 3

Faith opened the door to find Buffy and Xander standing there. "Hey B, what are you guys doing here?"

"Have you seen Willow or Angel tonight? We were supposed to meet at the Bronze, but they never showed." Buffy said.

"Nope, I haven't seen either of them in quite a while. We're not exactly friends." Faith said as she walked back into the room.

Buffy and Xander exchanged glances. They both knew Faith was lying.

"Well, we're worried about them. We've looked everywhere we could think of." Buffy said.

"Maybe they don't want to be found." Faith said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Xander asked.

"Nothing."

Buffy saw that Xander was about to say something, and she shook her head. Turning her attention back to Faith, Buffy crossed her arms.

"You got something to say, spit it out."

"It's just those two seem kind of cozy these days. Maybe they just want some time alone." Faith said matter-of-factly.

"You're nuts. There's nothing between Angel and Willow." Xander said.

"We don't have time for your games, Faith. If you think of anything, let us know. Come on, Xander, let's get back to the library."

"Bye B......bye Xander."

Neither could mistake the seductive tone in Faith's voice. Buffy pushed Xander out of the motel, and they headed back to the library.

"Why didn't you tell her that we knew she was lying?"

"Because I want to know what she's up to."

"Do you think she knows where they are?" Xander asked.

"If she doesn't, she knows who took them. In fact, I think she set them up. That's why she was with them in the Bronze."

"That little bitch!" Xander said angrily.

"We'll get to the bottem of this.....and get our friends back." Buffy stated.

Noises outside the cell door woke Angel and Willow. At the sound of the door being unlocked, Angel stood and pulled Willow behind him. Angel was blinded as a bright light was shined directly in his eyes, then he heard the door closed again. As he blinked, Willow stepped beside him. On the floor near the door, was a covered tray. Willow started towards it, but Angel grabbed her arm.

"Don't go near that, Willow. We don't know what's in there."

"And we won't know if we don't check it out." Willow argued.

Angel pushed Willow behind him again, and approached the tray. Cautiously, he pulled off the lid. He was surprised by the contents.

"Do you suppose it's safe to eat it?" Willow asked.

The tray contained several bags of blood for Angel, and food for Willow. Angel sniffed the food, then the blood. "I think so. Whoever's in charge wants us alive for now, so that means feeding us."

Grabbing the tray, Angel set it on the bed. He grabbed the bags of blood and moved to a corner. Angel was grateful as Willow turned her back to him to begin eating her own food.

After finishing their meals, Angel moved the tray back by the door. He and Willow sat on the bed, staring at the walls.

"Bored now."

Angel turned to Willow, and saw her smiling. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

Angel shook his head at Willow's quote of her alter-ego. He knew it had really affected Willow......seeing herself as a vampire. And Angel was curious about what she and her vamp-self talked about before they sent vampWillow back to her own reality.

"So, since we have time to waste, why don't you fill me in on VampWillow's world." Angel asked.

"What do you mean?" Willow asked innocently.

"Come on, Willow. You've been hiding something ever since she got sent back. We found out all about what Giles and Buffy and Xander were like in her world, but you've neglected mentioning what role I had in her world. And from the weird looks you've given me since, I know she mentioned me." Angel said.

Willow kept her gaze on the wall. {Oh, sure, he picks now to be talkative. Why can't he go back to being cryptic guy for awhile?}

"Willow? You know you're going to tell me." Angel said.

"It's embarrassing, and you really don't want to know, Angel."

Willow turned and saw Angel watching her. He wasn't going to let the matter drop. She'd had a hard enough time facing Xander after her vampire self had told her about the relationship they had in her world. How was Willow supposed to tell Angel what his relationship with VampWillow was?

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." Willow said.

End Part 4

Angel didn't like the way Willow was trying to avoid his question. What could be so terrible?

"So, what was I in VampWillow's universe?"

"Themasterhadyouprisonerandyouwereherpuppy." Willow said quickly.

Angel looked at her, not understanding a word she said.

"Want to run that by me again? This time actually take a breath between words." Angel said.

Willow turned slightly towards Angel, but didn't meet his eyes. "You were a prisoner of the Master's. They had you locked in a cell in the old factory."

"Ok, that wasn'y so bad, now was it."

"There's more." Willow said. "It seems my vamp alter-ego liked to.....uhm, that is to say........" Willow stopped.

"Willow, I've been around a long time, nothing you tell me will surprise me."

"That's not the point, Angel. The point is that it's embarrassing for me to talk about this." Willow admitted.

"She's not you, Willow. Just like the people she knew in her world weren't any of us."

"I know that. But, it's still hard to look at Xander and know that in her world, we're vampires. Not to mention lovers. Then to face you after she told me that you were her puppy."

"I know it's..........puppy? What do you mean I was her puppy?" Angel asked.

Willow stood and turned her back to him. She began fiddling with her shirt as she told Angel everything VampWillow had told her.

"As a reward, she got to *play* with you. Torture, sex, sometimes both. Whatever she wanted to do, and you were powerless to stop her. I guess every once in a while Xander participated, but he usually just watched. Geez, now do you understand why I didn't want to say anything. This is so embararrassing."

Angel just sat on the cot. He'd already guessed that VampWillow would probably have rivalled Angelus in the 'games' department. This only confirmed his suspicisions.

"Willow, did you ever think that maybe the Angel in her world got off on that? That maybe he enjoyed what she did to him?" Angel asked.

"He was a prisoner, Angel. They caught him while he was waiting for Buffy to come. Once she came and released him, he fought against the vampires to save the humans they had captured." Willow said.

"I understand that, Willow. But, why didn't he fight her when she came into the cell?"

"She said he was chained."

Angel walked over to Willow and turned her to face him. "Willow, vampires are very strong. Even if he couldn't have broken the chains, he would've been strong enough to fight her. If he didn't fight, it probably meant he enjoyed her 'games'."

Willow just shook her head. Angel pulled her against his chest and let her cry. She was feeling guilty for something she didn't do.

"Willow, you need to let this go. That Willow wasn't you, and you're not responsible for the things she did. Either in this world or in her own. Besides, vampires don't have many morals and what she did to the Angel in their world, is nothing I didn't do in this one when I was Angelus. Vampires love to play games, Willow. Sometimes you control the game, sometimes someone else does."

Everything he said made sense to her, but she still felt uncomfortable. "So, you're not angry with me?"

"Of course not."

They stood holding on to each other. Willow didn't tell Angel the rest of what VampWillow had told her. That even though they were from two different worlds, their tastes were the same. They had both been in love with Xander......and VampWillow told Willow that she had formed an 'attachment' to her puppy. Willow had told the vampire that her feelings for Angel didn't go beyond friendship. VampWillow had laughed. {I've never thought of Angel as anything other then a friend.} Willow ignored the voice that yelled 'Liar'.

Angel's mind was playing through the things Willow had told him. When he had first seen VampWillow at the Bronze, he had been attracted to her, despite himself. Then as Willow told him about being VampWillow's 'puppy', his mind began painting him a picture. He shook his head to clear those thoughts. So what if he and Willow had been lovers in that world, it had nothing to do with them. They were friends, nothing more. {Then why am I holding onto her so tightly?}

Angel realized that he still had Willow wrapped tightly in his arms, but he made no move to pull away from her. He wouldn't.....couldn't think of Willow as anything but the best friend of the woman he loved. Angel suddenly wished he'd never bullied Willow into telling him about the alternate Sunnydale. The lives of their alter egos had unleashed thoughts that needed to be left buried.

"So, you believe Faith set them up? But why?" Giles asked.

"It's the only explanation. Willow and Angel were waiting for us at the Bronze. Then Faith showed up, talked to them, and they rush out in a hurry. And no one's seen them since. We went to see Faith, and she lied to us. Told us she hasn't seen them in a long time. I don't know why, or what she's up to, but I believe that she knew something was going to happen to Angel and Willow when she talked to them in the Bronze." Buffy stated angrily.

"Alright then. We need to confront her with what we know. Buffy, call her and tell her you need her help. Have her meet us here."

Buffy nodded and went to make the call.

"Giles, I'm sorry I've been such a pain. I'm just scared for Willow." Xander said.

"I know, Xander. We all are worried. Hopefully, once we confront Faith, we'll get some answers."

"What if she won't tell us anything?" Xander asked.

"Then I'll *make* her tell us. She's on the way." Buffy said.

"Buffy, we need to handle this calmly." Giles stated.

"I'm calm, Giles. But, if she doesn't spill what she knows, I won't hesitate to beat her black and blue until she tells us where Angel and Willow are."

Giles watched as Buffy and Xander settled at the table to wait for the other Slayer. He hoped they were wrong about Faith, but the evidence suggested that they weren't. What was she hoping to accomplish by getting Willow and Angel out of the picture? And who was she working with? Faith would have a lot of explaining to do.

End Part 5

Faith entered the library and sat down in a chair next to Buffy. Neither Buffy nor Xander even looked at her.

"So, what's up?"

"Faith, you realize that since the incident in the alley, you've been on probation, right?" Giles asked.

"Yeah, that's kind of hard to forget. Is that what this is about? More lectures?" Faith asked.

"No lectures, Faith. We want to know why you lied to us." Buffy said, still refusing to look at the other Slayer.

"And we want to know where Angel and Willow are." Xander added.

Faith looked around the room. "I don't have a clue what you're talking about. I already told you I haven't seen either of them. And what did I lie about, B?"

"Stop it, Faith. Just for once own up to what you've done!" Buffy said jumping to her feet. "We know that you saw Angel and Willow at the Bronze. And we know that they took off in a hurry after whatever you told them. Now why don't you try telling the truth."

"I don't have to take this. I'm outta here." Faith said.

Buffy stood in front of her, shoving her back into the chair. "You're not going anywhere until you talk. Don't push me Faith. Ever since you came here, I've tried to be your friend. Even after you killed that guy, after the way you treated Xander, but you've gone too far. If Angel and Willow are hurt, I'll kill you myself."

Faith pushed herself up into the chair. {Damnit, I was so careful. How did they find out I was at the Bronze? And what the hell am I going to do about it now?} But Faith already knew. When it came down to saving her own ass, or protecting the Mayor, the choice was obvious.

"I don't know where they are, B. I was just told to get them to the park."

"So, you did set them up? Why?"

"For the money of course, and the thrill at getting the best of those two." Faith stated.

"Who told you to get them to the park?" Buffy asked.

"The Mayor. He has some big thing planned and he wanted your attention elsewhere. The last I heard, they were both alive."

"So, you go to him and find out where he's keeping Angel and Willow." Buffy said.

"No can do, B. The Mayor's not an idiot. He wouldn't trust me to keep my mouth shut. I'm not dependable, you know."

"No shit." Xander mumbled under his breath.

"Giles, how do we find them?" Buffy questioned.

"I don't know. But we have to keep Faith in sight. We can't have her running to the Mayor and warning him that we're onto him." Giles stated.

"No problem."

Before anyone realized what she was doing, Buffy had knocked Faith out and was hauling her to the cage. Making sure there was nothing that could be used as a weapon, Buffy locked her in.

"Next problem." Buffy said.

"Alright, so we know they were ambushed in the park. Maybe you should go hunting, try to find any of the vampires that were there that night. See if they know anything. I'll stay here and keep an eye on Faith. Be careful."

Giles watched Buffy and Xander leave, then turned back to Faith. He hadn't mentioned anything to the others, but if the Mayor found out that Faith had talked, it might make Angel and Willow expendable. They had to find their friends quickly.

"Got bad news, sir."

"What is it?" The Mayor asked from his chair.

"Your Slayer got captured. She's being held in the library. Do you want us to get her free?"

"No, no, that won't be necessary. Has she told them anything about me?"

"I don't know sir, but Summers and Harris were headed to the park."

The Mayor walked to the window. He had to assume Faith had talked to save her own neck. Well, that would just alter his plan a little.

"Stop delivery of food to the prisoners. They are no longer of importance to me. Once they're dead, dispose of them."

"Sir, wouldn't you rather we just kill them right now?"

"I'm not in the habit of murdering innocent people, you fool. Without food and blood, they will die soon enough......naturally. Now go make sure none of those stupid vampires give away the location of the prisoners."

"Yes, sir."

The Mayor looked back out the window. "Good help is so hard to find. My, it certainly looks like rain."

Willow and Angel slept curled up together on the small cot. Neither knowing that they had just become expendable.

End Part 6

It had been nearly a week since Willow and Angel had disappeared. The hunt for vampires hadn't proved very useful. The ones Buffy had found only knew that they had ambushed them, and that they were taken to the factory. From the factory, the vampires didn't know where they'd been taken. Buffy had searched the factory anyway, but no sign of her missing friends.

Giles walked out of his office, and noticed the looks on Buffy and Xander's faces. Time was running out, and they were no closer to finding Angel and Willow then they were before. Giles knew he could no longer keep the truth to himself.

"I'm afraid there's something we all need to consider now."

"Don't say it, Giles. They are not dead!" Xander responded.

"Listen to me. If the Mayor decided Angel and Willow were more of an inconvenience then a pawn, he'd take steps to eliminate them. I don't like it anymore then you do, but it's a possibility that we need to face. Angel and Willow may already be lost to us."

"No, I won't accept that, Giles. Willow's stronger then she looks, and we all know that Angel will protect her. They'll both be fine." Buffy said.

Giles walked over to sit next to his young friends. He hated hurting them, but they needed to be prepared for this. "I know that, Buffy. But there are things that Angel can't protect her from."

Buffy jumped out of her chair. "I can't believe you're telling us to give up hope. You want us to just accept that they're dead. I won't do that. They're alive and I'm going to find them."

"Buffy, please, ................" Giles began.

"Giles, I need to believe they're alive. But, if I find out they're not," Buffy turned to face Faith, "then I swear I won't stop until everyone responsible for their deaths pay........starting with her."

"Revenge isn't what you need to concentrate on. You cannot hunt down human beings, Buffy." Giles stated.

Buffy turned to her Watcher, and Giles saw a coldness in her eyes that he'd never seen before. "Don't get in my way, Giles. If Angel and Willow are dead, I will not let anything stand in the way of killing everyone responsible. That includes Faith and the Mayor......I don't give a damn what happens to me after that."

Buffy left the library, with Xander by her side. Giles realized that Buffy was deadly serious. She would take matters into her own hands, and no doubt Xander would help her. Giles hurried into his office and began making phone calls. He knew that he'd never be able to stop Buffy, but he'd make sure she and Xander didn't end up in prison.

"Angel, I want you to feed. You need to keep up your strength." Willow said weakly.

Angel was lying on the cot with Willow in his arms. Both of them were growing weaker by the day, and Angel knew that Willow wouldn't last much longer. He had asked her if she wanted him to change her, but she'd said no. So, he held her in his arms, knowing that she would die in his arms. And he would die too, because he refused to feed from her. Maybe this was the way it was supposed to end. He didn't mind dying, in fact he welcomed it. Death meant he would finally be free of his demon. But, Angel didn't want to see Willow die with him.

Looking down at her, Angel stroked her cheek. They had talked about everything in the time they'd been held, and had learned new things about each other. And they had found an attraction that had probably always been there, but had been overshadowed. They would never have a chance to act on that attraction, or see where it would lead. Fate had thrown them together, but wasn't going to give them time to enjoy it.

"Do you think they'll ever know what happened to us?" Willow asked.

"I don't know, Willow. I hope so."

"I'm tired, Angel......so tired."

Angel knew that the cold temperatures in the cell, plus lack of food and water were responsible for Willow's condition. A part of his mind told him to keep her awake until help came, but he knew help wouldn't find them. Why not let Willow drift off into a peaceful sleep?

Turning on his side, Angel pulled Willow back against him. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tightly. "Sleep Willow, just let yourself sleep."

"Don't leave me, Angel. I don't want to be alone."

"I'm not going anywhere." Angel whispered.

Willow snuggled against Angel's muscular body, and let herself drift into sleep. Angel closed his eyes, forcing himself to ignore the bloodlust....the hunger to take her blood. This was the end, and they both knew it. Nothing could save them now.

End Part 7

Joyce Summers sat at the kitchen table flipping through the paper. It had been two months since Buffy and her friends had disappeared, and she couldn't help but hope that Buffy would show up at the door again.....like she had the last time she'd run away. A story on page three caught her attention.

.........Authorities discovered the remains of a young woman early Tuesday morning. The body, identified as 17 year old Willow Rosenberg, a senior at Sunnydale High, was found at an abadoned construction site. Rosenberg, a straight A honor student, disappeared three months ago. Autopsy reports show that the young woman died from starvation and dehydration. The investigation into her death continues, and foul play is suspected in her death. Also, the search is still on for the person last seen with Rosenberg. The male, identified only as Angel, disappeared the same time and authorities suspect he is also dead.......

........In what could be a related story, the body of the unidentified young woman who was found several weeks after the Rosenberg girl's disappearance, has been identified. Her name, however, is being withheld pending an attempt to locate her family. Witnesses have said they saw the two women, along with the man known as Angel, together at the local club, The Bronze, before the disappearances. The young woman was not a student at Sunnydale, but had been seen at the library quite often. Authorities have ruled her death a homicide, as she was found with a broken neck.........

............And to further complicate this investigation, is the disappearances of three others who could shed some light on the case. Buffy Summers and Xander Harris, both 17 and students at Sunnydale High, were known friends of Rosenberg's and were often seen in the company of the mystery man Angel. They both, however, disappeared last month. At the same time of their disappearances, the high school librarian, Rupert Giles, also disappeared. Authorities are treating their cases as Missing Persons, but foul play has not been ruled out. Anyone with information about any of these people, have been asked to contact the Sunnydale Police Department.........

Joyce closed the paper, and sat with tears in her eyes. That article had taken away any hope she had of seeing Buffy again. Buffy had left Joyce a note, telling her everything that had happened. Beginning with Faith setting up Angel and Willow; their acceptance that Willow and Angel were dead; the anger and emotions that drove Buffy and Xander to go after those they blamed for their friends deaths.....including the Mayor and Faith; and Giles plan to have them disappear after he'd learned what they'd done. Joyce had held out hope that Buffy would eventually return, but she knew in her heart that it would never happen.

Joyce threw the paper on the table and went to lie down. So many innocent lives ruined by that evil man. She privately celebrated his death, and applauded when his evil dealings came to light after his death. The papers had been full of investigative findings into the Mayor's 'secret' life of devil worship and other illegal activities. But she was the only one who knew that his evil had spread beyond that. Buffy believed the Mayor ordered Angel and Willow captured, then left them to die. And Joyce blamed the man for forcing Buffy away from home. He could rot in Hell for eternity.

The police never found Buffy Summers, Xander Harris, or Rupert Giles. They had disappeared forever. Nor were they ever able to figure out who the mystery man known as Angel, really was, or what happened to him. His body had never been found. The deaths of Willow and Faith went unsolved. The case became a Sunnydale legend......so many unanswered questions about people who's lives were more complicated and mysterious then anyone ever suspected. Rumors circulated and grew about the case.....ranging from alien abductions to something much closer to the truth.

The memory of Buffy, Willow, Angel and the others would live on through the retelling of Sunnydale's most popular unsolved mystery.

THE END

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