** Note to Readers: Thoughts are indicated with < and > markings. **

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The 'discovery' of the disks had gone smoothly. Fortunately for the success of their hasty plan, Cass and Nick had decided to patrol with Buffy, so no one had been there to contradict their story that the disks had been in the mailbox. Willow and Angel had arrived at the house just ahead of the others. Willow's fast computer skills meant that she already had the disk decoded by the time the others finished the nightly circuit of Sunnydale's graveyards.

"Hi Wills.  You're home early; I thought you two would be out late," Buffy teased. She looked over Willow's shoulder at the computer screen. "Hey, isn't that the Watcher symbol?" Cassandra and Nick quickly joined the others around the computer.

"Willow, have you been hacking again?  The Watchers will flip if they find out an Immortal's been in their database," Cassandra sounded a little worried.

"I have not been hacking, not much at least. The Bronze was really packed, so we left early.  The mailbox was open and these disks," Willow waved the now unneeded decryption disk in the air, "were inside.  Apparently, someone wanted to help us out."

"You have a cheering section at Watcher HQ. Cool," Buffy laughed.

Cass, on the other hand, was far from laughing. "You didn't see anyone when you were walking to the house." The older Immortal's mind was obviously spinning a mile a minute.

"No, we didn't see anyone.  Not a tattoo in sight," Angel replied.

Cassandra turned to Nick and Buffy, who were now listening intently, having picked up Cassandra's concern. "Buffy, could you look around outside, just in case someone is watching the house.  Nick, you have police experience, right?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I'll help Buffy look."

Cassandra pulled a chair alongside Willow. "Let's look over the this stuff.  If someone went to the risk of stealing it and hand-delivering it then it has to be significant . . . I wish I knew who it was, though.  I wonder if it was someone Joe knows?"

Willow thought nervously, <Cass, you really don't want to know who brought these files. And Methos, if you are watching this house and Buffy catches you I will take your head personally. > The young witch fought the urge to sigh and kept her fingers crossed.

After about a half an hour Buffy and Nick returned, reporting that they'd had no success. "Only people we saw was the your regular Watcher. She'd parked about a block a way.  Nick waved to her; I thought she was going to pass out." Buffy couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice. "It's too bad I couldn't ask her if she saw anyone, but I'm pretty sure she would have a heart attack."

"If it was another Watcher, they would have known to be careful of Willow and Cass's Watcher," Angel added.

Cassandra nodded in agreement.  "It's also unlikely that she left it herself. Joe said he was sending someone by the book.  She was the only one he could find of who already knew about vampires and would be careful.  Joe had to be pretty roundabout when he interviewed candidates."

"I thought they just assigned people?" Willow questioned.

"Normally, yes.  But I'm older than most and have a tendency to misplace my Watcher," Cass replied. "Buffy, call Giles and Xander.  It looks like we'll need a group meeting. Everyone go get some rest.  I'll fill you in on the disks tomorrow."

Angel dragged a reluctant Willow away from the computer and towards the stairs while Buffy used the phone.  The vampire whispered in the redhead's ear, making her blush; he wasn't about to miss some time alone with her.

Buffy walked jauntily to the door, unsuccessfully hiding a grin at her friends' antics. With the help she'd had on patrol the Slayer wasn't tired, and the Bronze was still open. Unfortunately for Buffy's budding dance plans, she opened the door only seconds before Willy could ring the doorbell. The oily bartender was standing on the front step.  He kept swallowing hard and twitching while Buffy stood and glared at him.  Buffy pinned him roughly against the open door.  Willow and Angel rushed over to stand behind her, Cass and Nick only a few steps behind them.  Willy grabbed at her arm, breath wheezing out of his mouth as he attempted to speak.

"Um, Buffy, I think he might be able to tell why he's here if you let him breathe," Willow suggested gently.

Buffy eased her arm slightly, though not enough to let the bartender breathe easily. "Okay, Willy, what are you doing in my territory?" Buffy demanded.

"Buffy . . . brought you info . . . really important stuff ... won't even charge ya for it," Willy tried to be ingratiating, but with his face turning blue it didn't work too well.  Fortunately for him, his words had more of an impact. Buffy let him off the door and stepped back while pulling him into the house. Cass shut the door behind them as Buffy pulled Willy inside by one ear, shoving him into a chair.  They formed a half circle surrounding him; nervous sweat dripped down his forehead.  Willow realized that Willy really didn't want to be there.

"Okay Willy. Details.  What's so important that you're passing up money?" Angel demanded.

The bartender cleared his throat nervously, wincing when the bruises on his neck made in difficult.  "There are these new demons in town.  They've been running demons who won't cooperate with them out of town . . . A lot of the regular vamps have just vanished.  I've been losing business!" Willie squeaked indignantly.  At the lack of sympathy from his audience he continued rapidly, "I know, I know. That happens every time someone tries to take over Sunnydale.  But these two have got some major backing. I don't know the big one's name, but he called the little one Kayla. Well, they came in yesterday, and they offered me a deal.  Either I pay them for protection or I leave town fast.  That
and I've heard they're buying up outlying property all over town.  One of my regulars said their boss is human and was carrying a sword of all things"

Willow and Cass exchanged a quick glance.  <Okay, that is not good.  I need to call Methos and warn him.  He'll probably want to get out of town, > Will thought, a little crease forming in the middle of her forehead.

Willy noticed that everyone seemed lost in thought and tried to dart for the door.  A solid arm block his path, knocking him to the floor. Nick leaned over the bartender, his eyes hard. "Leaving so fast?" Nick looked up, "Can anyone here draw." Angel nodded. "Good, let's get some sketches of these demons.  The more info we have to work with the better." Nick's police training couldn't have been more obvious. Cass and Willow both nodded approvingly.  It was a good idea.

Buffy was too busy terrifying Willy to respond.

"Buffy," Cass drew the Slayer's attention, "You'd best call everyone again.  It looks like we have a major situation developing. Angel, focus on getting those sketches.  Willow, start compiling a list of the properties which have recently changed hands in about, oh, the last two months.  Use the main computer; I'll work on the laptop. Buffy, check our weapons supply. We had best be ready. I'll start going through this disk.  I have a sinking feeling that it's related."

Giles and Xander arrived quickly.  Willy fled out the door as soon as the drawings of the demons was complete; the Watcher and Angel began the time-consuming process of comparing the sketch to the many books that filled the shelves in the house.  Xander helped Buffy with the weapons check.  With all of them working together it took less than an hour, so they started repairing and sharpening as needed. Nick helped them for awhile then let his curiosity draw him to where Giles and Angel were researching.  He watched over their shoulders, occasionally snagging a book to look closer.  Each time a page turned his eyes got a little wider.  His single encounter with a vampire had been enough to
convince him that there was more out there than he was aware of.  Nick still was reeling at the sheer number of supernatural threats in existence.  He let his eyes rove around the room, taking in the calm but focused preparations of the group.

"Mr. Wolfe," Nick pulled his attention back to Giles, a little startled. "Perhaps you find would this beginning book on demons useful." The
Watcher handed him a leather covered book.  Leafing through it, Nick saw that it was a handwritten synopsis on the most common demons.
He settled into a chair and began to read.

"We need more holy water, and we're low on stakes," Buffy said, not looking up from the short swords she was sharpening.

Cass replied without looking up, "I put the shopping list on the fridge.  A supply run tomorrow would be a good idea.  Nick, why don't you, Xander, Anya and Buffy do that.  It will give you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the area. Giles and I will stay here to research."

Willow tried to stay focused on the hunt through the electronic records of every realty firm in Sunnydale.  The sound of the whetstone Buffy was using on the sword was driving the young witch slightly nuts.  Slow and high pitched, the sound was just right to make her ears ache.  The problem was compounded by the presence of the disk.  <I wanted to look at that disk.  It's going to drive me nuts until Cass gives us a rundown on it. > Willow sighed, unaware that she was gazing into a corner.  Her gray-green eyes were glazed and distant.

Angel watched her ruefully. <Ah, kitten, between the late hour and your curiosity you and I don't stand a chance. > It didn't look like he would have any time alone with her today.  Cassandra's voice cut through both of their thoughts.

"Okay, Willow, your eyes are just holes in your head, and it's 4 o'clock in the morning.  We all need rest.  I don't think we're going to get through all of our research in one night." The Immortal turned off the laptop and tucked her notes inside the case.  Then she firmly turned off the main computer and most of the lights.  "Rupert, Xander, Buffy, you should all stay as well.  There are, after all, plenty of rooms."  No one had enough energy to argue with her. "Good night."

Angel watched the gentle rise and fall of Willow's chest.  He was as tired as she was, but he refused to let a opportunity to watch his love sleep go past. They'd ended up in her room this time.  Cassandra had forgotten that Nick was staying with them.  Nick had ended up in Angel's room and Xander was in the guest room. Angel was not about to fight the situation.  Willow had blushed a little when Buffy and Nick both gave her knowing little smiles.  However, she'd liked waking up in Angel's arms that morning.  No need to pass up a good thing.

Angel brushed his lips against Willow's cheek and silently turned off the light. Settling Willow against his side, the vampire gave in to the
need to sleep.

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