Angel slid the glove over his hand, and moved his fingers, holding it up to the light.
"To think," Faith said, looking it over. "That this little thing has all the power."
"People would think the same about you, sweetheart," Lorne countered gently. "So we're certain?"
"Didn't sniff a lie on him," Spike put in. "Checks out."
"Gear up." Gunn lifted his favourite axe. "Lorne, you'll be safe?"
The green demon nodded. "I will, thank you. I'll meet you after, if all is successful."
"You better be," Faith told him. "I don't much like thinking about you not being alive."
Lorne reached over and gave her a short hug. "I love you, sweetkins. Stay safe."
Faith smiled faintly and hugged him back. "Right back at you."
Lorne adjusted his coat and nodded at the rest of the group. "So, I'll see you later."
"Stay safe," Angel told him. "I mean it."
~*~*~*~
Lorne watched as Hamilton took out the remaining demons.
"Is that all of them?" he asked, slipping his hand into his coat pocket.
"Yes," Hamilton nodded. He turned towards Lorne. "Do we know what Angel's plan - "
He was cut off by Lorne shooting him three times in the chest.
"Sorry, pumpkin," Lorne said softly. "You're not part of Angel's plan."
~*~*~*~
Gunn pressed the button for the White Room floor in the elevator.
"Now or never, right guys?" he said, somewhat nervously.
"Just another night's work," Faith quipped. "You ready, Angel?"
"Always."
~*~*~*~
Illyria punched through the door to the White Room and her bright blue eyes flashed dangerously as she dispatched of various demons. "Go!"
Angel charged through the fray, dodging and twisting, only fighting those who blocked his way. He came to the first Senior Partner, the Wolf, who was distracted, and he grabbed a hold of his neck and squeezed.
A light seemed to shine from the glove and the Wolf crumpled to the ground, his body disappearing as Angel stepped over to the next.
He reached out and grabbed the Hart, but before he could kill him, the Ram had telekinetically brought Faith over to him, crading her head against his chest, his hands wrapped around her throat.
"Angel," the Ram snarled. "We had hoped you would be on our side when this all came down."
"What can I say?" Angel replied. "I guess I'm just a huge disappointment."
"I'll say," the Hart choked out. "We've been grooming you for our side for the last few years. What a waste of time and money."
"Guess you guys didn't really look into the Champion of the Light thing," Faith cut in, then gasped as the Ram gripped her tighter.
"Let her go," Angel said, his voice low and dangerous.
"Let him go," the Ram countered. "Don't think I won't kill her. She's been a thorn in our sides for much too long."
"You know, I've been telling everyone that for years," Spike chuckled, dodging blows from the minion he was fighting as he went past.
"You know," Faith started. "Killing me isn't much of a threat. I've been brought back before, I'm sure they could do it again."
The Ram laughed. "Doubtful, little girl. We gave your precious leader so many resources to bring you back in the past, but if we refuse to help, where will - "
The Ram looked down to see a Illyria's fist poking through his stomach, and in the shock, he let go of Faith.
Angel crushed the throat of the Hart, and then grabbed the Ram, lifting him off the ground by his neck.
"We're ending this now," he said, slipping into game face.
He crushed through the last of the Senior Partners and for a second, all was still. Then, the building began to shake, the walls collapsing around them.
"Something tells me it's time to motor," Faith said, nodding at Angel. "Round up the troops, Angel."
"Sod off, I'm rounded," Spike said, appearing beside her. "Good job, Big Blue."
Illyria nodded, sniffing the air. "The one you call Gunn, he is hurt."
"Got him!" Faith called, pulling the debris that had fallen on top of Gunn off him.
"Thanks," he told her, holding onto her with one arm weakly, the other holding his stomach.
"Keep that red on the inside, you hear?" Faith said.
Angel lead the group through the collapsing building, Illyria dispatching of anyone who stood in their way.
They had just made it outside when the building completely fell to the ground.
"Well," Faith said, leaning Gunn against a nearby car. "That was close."
"Indeed," Angel nodded. "Anyone else hurt?"
"It's just a scratch, I'm cool," Gunn coughed.
"Not likely," Spike said, sniffing.
"I'll get him to the hospital," Faith told Angel. "You go meet with Lorne."
Angel nodded. "Ok, call when you get there."