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Initiative	By : wright99 Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 9187 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Initiative, Part 14

1

Moving day.
Rupert Giles supervises as the others load what they can into their van; they were in a hurry.
Their safe house? No longer safe. In the weeks since they've been aware of Dr. Walsh's return from Washington, things have changed. For the worse.
Their location has been compromised, and they know it was only a matter of time before Ethan Rayne or Dr. Walsh discovers their location. Then they could expect troops from Rayne's private 'security' to surround their current location, trapping them. After that, they don't want to think about after that.
Stanton Chase walks up to Dr. Giles, his face a mixture of regret and worry.
" I do wish there was more I could do to help you," He says quietly.
" Thank you, Stanton. You and Amelia have been a great help already. Much more than I could reasonably expect." He looks around. " I appreciate what you've done; what risks you've taken . But with Dr. Walsh back, and this location out, we've got to move on. Best you don't know where we're going."
" I hate to be the broken record, " Stanton says, watching the activity, " but has there been any word on Cordelia? Anything at all?"
Giles looks at Stanton with some sympathy. He knows the poor man has been through hell worrying about his daughter. I only wish I had better news.
" I'm sorry, Stanton, but Cordelia's fate is still up in the air. We've no way to know if she's been recaptured by Dr. Walsh, or if there might be some involvement with Ethan Rayne. Unfortunately, my sources seem to have dried up."
" I was a fool," Stanton closes his eyes tight, to keep in his pain and anger, " I should've moved from Sunnydale when we got Cordelia. But I let that�" he trails off, not wanting to swear,"� woman convince me that it was in Cordelia's best interest to stay in Sunnydale. To be tested, and evaluated, and where she could keep an eye on her." He turns to Giles, eyes showing his ache." I had no idea she was anything but a troubled child until that day at the mansion. I thought I was doing the right thing. I did!"
" You can't blame yourself for what happened, Stanton, " Giles says, patting his shoulder sympathetically.
" I don't," Stanton's face turns angry. "I blame that madwoman, Walsh, for this�" again he trails off. " � if she I find out Cordelia's in her care, and something happens to her� there won't be anywhere she can hide where I won't get to her. And when I do�"
Giles looks at the anger and frustration in his face, and is glad he's not on the bad side of Stanton Chase. I suspect Dr. Walsh will find her life quite uncomfortable if she's done anything to Cordelia. Quite uncomfortable indeed.
Stanton hands Giles something.
" What's this?" He opens the box. Inside is a small cellular phone." A cell phone."
" Not an ordinary phone, Dr. Giles. It's a prototype of a special phone I'm developing for the Government. Its signal is encoded and scrambled, making it untraceable. It only connects to one other phone� this one�" He holds up the phone's twin. "If you ever need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to call. This line is absolutely secure."
Giles is touched. " Thank you, Stanton. Very much."
" Just find Cordelia, if you can. Bring her back to us, and we'll be more than square," Stanton says. Taking one more look around, he leaves the safe house.
" If you guys are done having the Old Guys Mutual Admiration society," Faith says, walking up to Giles. " I'd kinda like to know what we're supposed to do with that." She points over at a table.
Next to the table, Willow is busily working on the Anne-bot, her concentration focused on the processing chips. She's removing it for safe transport. No need to take a chance that it gets fried during our little move. She pulls out the processor's special shock proof container and opens it. On the inside is the Logo for Brandon Microtrends ,the chip's manufacturer. She feels a sudden wooziness, followed by a white light flash in her brain.

"Rory Wilkins. You look like the cat that ate the cream. What's up?" Claire Woolstone, Rory's roommate, comes over to her desk in their dorm. " You've been reading and re-reading that letter for a hour. I swear," Claire teases," If I'd known you were that much of a tard, I never would've taken Physics with you."
Rory is almost wiggling in excitement. She keeps reading and re-reading the letter because she can't believe it. It's a dream come true.
An internship. With a leading chip manufacturer. It was as if she won the lottery. Oh sure, no money. But this is even better. I'm going to get real world experience in my chosen field, and man, it's going to be sooo good on my resume. And� I get my foot in the door with one of the leading corporations in the world! Rayne International! I can't believe this!!!!
Rory shoves the letter at Clair, smiling broadly. " Look, look, look. Isn�t it sooo cool?" Rory says, jumping out of her seat in excitement.
" Hmmm," Claire looks at the letterhead. " Brandon Microtrends. Well, I'm impressed, " She sounds bored. " So, what? That application for a personality transplant finally was approved, then?"
" Oh you," Rory punches Claire's arm. " I got it. I got the internship!" Rory, excited, starts dancing around the room. " I'm gonna be famous! I'm gonna be rich! I'm�"
" On an internship? Isn't that another word for slave labor?" Claire says. But seeing her friend so happy gives her a deep down thrill.
" No, don't you get it? Brandon Microtrends. They're a major player in chip engineering. It's exactly where I wanted to go. And� and� super bonus�they're part of Rayne International. Do you know what that means?"
" That you're another teeny weensy tiny little cog in some huge corporate machine?" Claire looks at her cynically, " not like you've been made a VP or nothing�"
" Do you HAVE to be so negative-o?" Rory says, frowning just a little. " I get my foot in the door with a major player in the world!. They're going to see what kind of work I can do. How smart I am. How much I can make things even better�"
" Yeah, and then, they'll refit all the doorways so that you can get that massively swollen head through them, " Claire teases her.
" Claire, you utter poop head!" Rory frowns. " You're my bestest friend in the whole fucking world. I want to share this with you, but all you can do is make fun of me. Can't you just get happy for me? Can't you get on the Rory Glory train and not try to derail it for once?"
Oh, baby. You've got no idea how I'd love to ride the Rory Glory train, and make it whistle, Claire thinks to herself, But you're hung up on that creep Brandon! Damn you, I'm dying here!
" Hey, baby, " Claire winks, smiling broadly, " of course I'm happy for you. Just if you're head swells anymore, there's not going to be any oxygen left in here for me." She walks over to Rory, throwing an arm over her shoulder. " C'mon, Bud. I think this requires a celebratory dinner and maybe some major partying, don't you?"
" Well, yeah," Rory grins, flinging her arm over Claire's shoulders. " You're the best, you know?"
" Well, took you long enough to figure that, dork-o" Claire says. " And since I am, I guess I let you treat. Seein' how your gonna be rich� be famous�" Claire needles her.
" Did I say poop head?" Rory grins, " I meant double poop head!"
The two are about ready to leave when they hear a buzzing.
" Damn, phone," Rory says, running back into the room. " I better get that�"

Willow suddenly is back , awake by a loud buzzing coming from the Anne-bot. She looks around, confused and startled.
"What in heck?" she says, looking at Anne's diagnostic screen. She frowns.
" Willow? What's going on?" Giles, followed by Faith, come over to the table." Is everything all right with the Bot?"
" I don't know," Willow sounds a little panicky," I pulled the chip for protection. Then the alarms came on�" She checks the diagnostic. " Oh�oh�"
"What?" Giles looks at the diagnostic screen. "What's happening with the Bot?" He notices the scrolling across the screen." Oh� no, this isn't good."
" It's a data dump. Something must've triggered it when I pulled the chip," Willow looks upset." I� I thought it was safe to pull�"
" Willow, you know we were counting on getting more information out of the Anne-bot" Giles doesn't sound pleased, " I really wish you hadn't fooled around with it without me being present."
" I'm sorry, Giles," Willow says, sounding really upset.
" Hey, back off, Giles. She was just trying to help!" Faith comes up to defend Willow. " She's doin' the best she can."
" Hey� it's not that bad� no, it's ok� it's ok�" Willow says, noting the data scrolling has stopped. " It's only her personality M-grams affected. No critical data! " Willow sighs in relief. " Thank goodness. And personally, I�m glad."
" What?" Giles says, " you're glad we almost lost our most valuable resource?"
" No, Giles. I'm glad " Anne" is gone. She made me really uncomfortable� coming on to us all the time."
" I knew it!" Faith says, the green eye monster rearing its ugly head. " It was trying to make out with you!" She looks around " Just let me find a nice something to make her into bot-bits!"
" Faith!" Giles says, horrified. " You'll do no such thing!"
" Just try and stop me, G," Faith says.
" Oh for goodness sakes, Faith, " Willow says, going over to Faith, giving her a hug, " you think I'm interested in some plastic and wires when I got the real thing right here?" She squeezes Faith's butt, and giggles. " Especially someone so sexily put together?" She leans heavily against Faith, laying her head on her chest, purring. " mmmm� someone likes that!"
" HEY!" Faith blushes, " � not here, for Christ's sake!" Faith whispers. " Things could get out of � control!"
" Don�t be silly, Faith. Everyone here knows what you've got, " Willow says, casually, " except maybe Angel. And I don't think he's interested."
" Still," Faith grumbles, " I'm not like� I mean, I'm still a girl. I don't � geeze." Her cheeks turn pink.
" Oh yeah, you're MY girl," Willow coos, while she squeezes Faith's butt again. " mmm� just love those girly parts."
" RED!"
" Can't help it," Willow pouts a little," You're sooo cute when you're all jealous." She giggles." You even dressed up the Bot!"
" I got tired of watchin' you drool over the 'bot" Faith growls. " It's disgusting!"
" I so wasn't drooling over the bot!" Willow says defensively, " I was working on her, trying to extract information�" Willow wiggles against Faith a little. " Don't be a poop head, Faith" She takes Faith's hand lays it on her stomach." Think junior wants you to be all growly and mean?"
Faith smirks, " Junior huh?" She shakes her head. " Don't even know if there's a junior."
"Oh, I don't need some dumb old hospital test to tell me what I know," Willow says softly.
" Still, while you were in the hospital, woulda been nice to like have a confirm, you know?"
" You think I'm faking it? How 'bout the vomiting in the mornings? Am I faking that too?"
" No, baby, that isn't� never mind, I better just get back to work." Faith moves away towards the van. " Sorry I bothered you. You got stuff to do."
" Faith, wait!" Willow starts after her, but Giles stops her.
" Willow, if you two are quite finished �chatting� would you step over here, please?" Giles calls out, stopping her from following.
" Of course, Giles," Willow says, a little miffed at Faith, " What's� what the heck happened to her?" Willow looks at the Anne-bot, wide eyed.
But it's no longer the " Anne-bot" , at least not in appearance. The form has changed radically. It now appears as a young girl, maybe 16 years of age. The golden blonde hair has been replaced with chestnut brown. And , well, it's differently shaped all over. Willow stands next to Giles, stunned.
" What� how?" Willow looks at Giles.
" It happened while you were talking to Faith. The sub-dermal nanobots seemed to come active, and started changing her. I tried to stop the process, but it seems it's linked to the memory M-grams that were dumped. Evidently, a personality dump brings the ' bot' back to it's native form� which, I'm assuming, is this." He waves at the transformed 'bot.
Willow is somewhat philosophical about the change.
" Well, maybe it's for the best. This way we have the basic 'bot to work with, and maybe, " She raises her voice somewhat, " certain people can get over their jealous reactions to a bunch of wires and plastic." She looks over her shoulder to find Faith blushing furiously. She smiles a little smile. " Anyway, " She says turning back to the 'bot, " Maybe we should put in the processor, just to see that it's still working properly."
" Before we do anything else," Giles says, noting that most of the packing has been completed," we should move on. I don't particularly feel safe in this location any longer, and before we get involved with the changes in the bot, we should be at a more secure place. Where we won't be interrupted needlessly."
" Well, there's one little problem, Giles, " Faith says, walking up to them" Kinda smaller prob now," she says, looking at the changed 'bot," but with everybody and their stuff? No real room for Roberta the Robot now. Unless of course you want a couple of us to just stay behind�"
" Don't be foolish Faith, of course no one stays behind," Giles says, " still, this bot might have some useful information about Ethan Rayne," Giles looks at the ' bot. " But if we can't carry it, I suppose we'll just have to destroy it�"
" NO!" Willow almost shouts, " There's got to be some way we can take her along. We can't just destroy her." She looks pained.
" We can't afford to let it fall back into Ethan's hands. There's not telling what it might be able to tell him about us, " Giles says, " We really have no choice."
"We can't destroy it, Giles," Willow insists, " we may never get another chance to study something like her," Willow says, almost protectively.
" Her huh?" Faith's tone is a little chilly," Well, whatever, we don't have the room for it."
" I'm certain if we move things around, we can fit her in," Giles says.
" You know, we might not even need the stretcher anymore, " Willow says, looking at the 'bot," maybe we could just reinsert the processor, let her fit in like one of us. Pretty sure we can fit one more body in there..."
" That might work, Willow," Giles says, " it'll be a bit tight back there, adding another person."
" I'm sure we can all squeeze in a little tighter, don't you think?"

" Whatever. Not looking forward to the ride with the over-built toaster over, but whatever. Just do it so we can get goin'."

Willow starts for the front seat, and notices the ' bot sitting there." What's going on? I called shotgun."
" I thought, since�what are we going to call this thing now?� anyway, since no one has ever seen her in this state, it might be better to have her ride upfront." Giles says. "It's less likely they'll suspect it's us."
The 'bot, realizing they were talking about her, speaks up.
" My name is D.A.W. N. Dynamically Aware Wave-based Neural-bionetwork. My programming is based on advanced fuzzy logic principles, and I'm able to learn new procedures. I don't require further programming." She turns around and smiles. " I'm very smart you know." She turns back, and looks out the front windshield.
" But� " Willow starts. She feels the familiar rumbling in her tummy. So don't want to yak in the back if I can't hold it." I thought I'd be riding upfront�"
" Oh, c'mon, Red. Don't ya think the 'bot there should get the premiere place. I mean, hey, just think of all the learning she can do while Giles there is driving her around."

" Why, thank you� Faith, is it? I seem to have m-Grams of all of you. Pictures too, so I recognize you all. " Dawn says over her shoulder.
Willow, feeling queasy, but not wanting to hold them up any longer, makes her way into the back. She squeezes in on the other side of Buffy� as far from Faith as she can get.
" See, Red? You're little toy is all settled in now, " Faith smiles, " Guess you'll just have to sit back here with the rest of the freaks."
Willow just makes a face as the van door is pulled closed, and they take off .

During their trip to the new location, Willow sits quietly, lost in her thoughts.

Why is she doing this? She's being so mean. What's her problem, anyway? God� things aren't bad enough? Now she's what? All pissy over what? I don't get her. Is she like going to dump me? Is that what's this is about?
Buffy, noticing the seating arrangement and Willow's mood, reaches for her hand. " Hey, you ok?"
" Yeah, just feeling a little out of it. Maybe its�" she trails off, indicating her tummy.
" Ah, yeah. Heard you in the mornings," Buffy nods. "Pretty bad, huh?"
" I'll be ok, you know?"
" Hey, look, I was kinda stupid�earlier, you know. ' Bout the baby and all. I � well, I know it's rough on you. I'm sorry."
" Aw, Buff. It's cool, " Willow smiles, squeezing her hand. " I just kinda freaked, you know?"
" Hey, sure. I mean� I get it, " Buffy says, " Anything I can do, just tell me, ok?"
" Sure, Buffy," Willow smiles, but doesn�t feel like it. Can you give me my life back?
I wanna go home! I just want this thing to be a big old nightmare, and I want to be back in my bed, with the clean sheets and fuzzy blankets, and all warm and snug. I don't want to be on the run, afraid they're going to find us and what? Melt us down or something?
Darn it. I'm just a kid. I don't need this stuff right now. I need homework and studying and hanging out with my buds and doing kid stuff. Not worrying if we'll be caught, or if I'm pregnant� by a girl no less. God, I really don't need that! And will it even be human? Am I even human? Geeze. All I want to be is a normal girl again. I want my mom and dad to tell me it's all ok, going to be ok.
God, I hope they don't log the calls at the hospital. I know the guy's would have a fit if they knew I called home. But I just had to. I'm so scared. I don't know what's going to happen to me� any of us. I just needed to hear their voices again. And they were so cool. I mean, they didn't yell or anything. And even MOM missed me! That's so totally out there, it's almost unbelievable. They wanted to know where I was, but I couldn't exactly tell them, could I? Never mind the we're being chased by government agents who want to recycle us into kibble and bits. How would they react if they knew I was pregnant? I can just hear Dad going ballistic. No, couldn't tell them much. Only I was safe, and alive. And ok. That was a total lie.
Well it's all a lie, right? My friends not my friends. Now even Faith's a lie. Isn't she? I mean, is she going to leave me now or something? How could she leave me, now? Especially since I'm like preggers with her child? I don't need a test to know I'm pregnant. God, I don't throw up that often! Not every morning� and about every chance I get� damn. Lies, all lies. All of it. Damn it!
Sometimes. I just wish I could�I wish I were dead�

2

" Are you absolutely certain about this?" Dr. Walsh says on the phone, trying to hold down her excitement.
" That's she's pregnant? Yes, its certain," Ira Rosenberg, on the speakerphone at their home with his wife, Sheila." I have the lab report from the hospital right here," Ira declares. "The father? No, I wasn't there when it happened. But as far as we know, she's only been with Faith�"
" Still, is it possible it could be anyone else?" Dr. Walsh enquires. " I mean, it's possible some other boy from her school�"
" Dr. Walsh. I know Willow," Sheila comes on the line, " she's not the kind to play around. She's quite taken with Faith. It was obvious the few times Faith was here, how Willow felt about her. I'm certain she's not been with anyone else."
Dr. Walsh can barely contain her excitement. This is her dream. To create a fertile self sustaining race of beings. That it came about so quickly, is just icing on the cake. But she has to be sure, before her next move. If somehow she's pregnant from a none clone, it could be disastrous. Still, even so, it's exciting. That this generation of clones proves fertile is excellent news.
" Do you have any idea where she might be? I really need to have her in� to run tests on her." Dr. Walsh says. " When she talked to you�?"

" No, she wouldn't say where she was. I know she was in Sunnydale Memorial Hospital. That's where the test results came from."
" Well, that at least is good news. She's still in town. We'll find her, don't worry," Dr. Walsh says quietly. I'll put some of Rayne's men in the field�have them keep a lookout for her or the others. " I just don't understand how this could get so bollixed up," Dr. Walsh continues, " You were supposed to be there to keep an eye on her, and the others. You knew the arrangement, Ira. How did they get away in the first place? They should've been brought in earlier."
"You weren�t exactly honest with us, were you, Dr. Walsh? " Ira says defensively, " You only told us this was a sociological experiment. Now we find out this is actually a lot more involved. And you just up and went to Washington when everything hit the fan. How could I tell you what Dr. Giles was up to, when you weren't here to take the report? So, don't go blaming us. We did the best we could, considering."
Dr. Walsh decides on a different tack.
" Ok, let's not argue about this now. The important thing is we find them. I'm sending some of Rayne's men into the field, to blanket Sunnydale. I want you and Sheila to coordinate them. When you find them, I need to know immediately. Clear?"
" OF course, Dr. Walsh. We'll do everything we can to help," Ira Rosenberg says, " and I'm sure you'll remember that. There are some things we'll need to�take care of. I'm sure I can count on your support?"
" I'm sure something can be arranged," Dr. Walsh lies." You've done very well in reporting this to me. It would be a shame if they got away now. It would ruin years of work."
" Yes, that would be a shame, you being so close to your goals, " Sheila puts in.
"Exactly so," Dr. Walsh says agreeably. " Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to finalize details for the search. You'll be contacted shortly." Dr. Walsh doesn't wait to listen to more; she hangs up the phone.
Leeches. Oh well, once this little mess is cleared up, I'm sure we'll find a suitable way to take care of them�
Dr. Walsh hits a button on the phone.
" Yes, Dr. Walsh?"
" Emily, please have Drusilla come up to see me immediately, please."
" Very well, Dr. Walsh." Emily replies.
Dr. Walsh leans back in her chair. This is wonderful news! The newest generation seems to be fertile� and better, the gynandromorphic experimentation seems to have worked out on Faith, giving her viable male and female sexual organs. Of course, we'd need to run some tests on her. Be sure that her female organs are working properly too� but it seems her male anatomy seems to be working quite well. But I really need to be sure that Willow's child is indeed Faith's child also.
Damn, I really need to know if Willow is indeed pregnant, and it's by Faith. I need them both in here. I need to run tests on both. And later, after the baby is born, I'll be able to dissect both of them, and use what that will tell me to design the perfect gynandromorphic being. Both male and female, capable of cross mating� this is exactly what I've been waiting for�it's perfect�if only it's true�
" 'Allo, Mummy, " Drusilla says, walking into Dr. Walsh's office, " you wanted to see me?"
" Yes, indeed Drusilla. I need you to verify something for me."
" Always glad to help, mummy. I brought a surprise," Drusilla smiles in her own special, creepy way. " Can I bring her in?"
" Surprise?" Dr. Walsh frowns. She's not often fond of Drusilla's surprises. "Her?"
" C'mere, dearie," Drusilla waves out the door. " Don't be shy, luv. It's quite ok."
Veruca walks into the office. However, this is a completely different Veruca.
Physically, she is much the same as when she was living with Oz. Same long hair, same body and facial features. But she has a whole new attitude. No longer aggressive and bitter, Veruca smiles shyly, then retreats into the protective arms of her sister, Drusilla.
" There, there, pet, mummy won�t hurt you, dearie," Drusilla strokes her long hair, soothing her. " I'm so glad to have me sister back, mummy. And she's ever so much nicer now. Not so snappish and mean." She gently pushes Veruca towards Dr. Walsh. " Now do be a love and go say hello to mummy, dear."
Veruca smiles and walks towards Dr. Walsh. Her whole attitude is one of submission and obedience. She lowers her eyes, standing in front of Dr. Walsh's desk.
" Hello, mommy," Veruca says, her tone quiet and shy.
" Hello, Veruca dear, " Dr. Walsh stands, holding out her hands. " How are you, dear?"
" I'm very well, mommy. I'm so happy playing with Drusilla now. Thank you for bringing me back." She blushes, " I'm sorry I was so mean before."
Dr. Walsh smiles. This is a much improved version of Veruca, at least in her mind. She made sure they bred most of the aggression out of her this time, and did intensive training to make her submissive and quiescent. She can be a valuable tool, but not as she was.
" That's alright, my dear. I'm just glad you're happy now." She smiles at the clone. " Now dear, why don't you go sit with Emily in the next office. Drusilla and I have things to talk about."
" Yes, ma'am, " Veruca says, turning and walking out of the office.
" Don't wander far, dearie," Drusilla calls out. " We have many more games to play." She turns to Maggie Walsh, beaming. " She's just such a dear. Thank you for giving me lil sis back, Dr. Walsh."

" Well, I'm glad you're happy, Drusilla. Just do keep Spike away from her. I think he's a bad influence on her."
" Oh, of course. My Spike can be such a bad dog sometimes. Ruff!" She weaves a little. " I need to keep the boy on a collar and chain, I do." She smiles.
" Ah, yes," Dr. Walsh has no interest in Dru's and Spike's sex games. " I need you to do something for me Drusilla."
" Of course mummy."
" Do you remember the subject named Willow Rosenberg?"
" Willow� Willow� oh yes, the cute little fire-haired one. Yes, such a sweet little thing," Drusilla smiles. It's rather a disturbing smile.
" Yes, exactly. I need you to do something. I need to verify if our Willow is pregnant. Can you do that for me, Dru?"
" Ah, yes, lets look, shall we mummy?" Drusilla closes her eyes and begins to weave back and forth. She places her long fingers to her temples and hums quietly to herself. After awhile she smiles. " Ahhh yes, it appears the little one has a little one in the oven, indeedy," Drusilla says in a sing song voice. " oh, and it's very small yet, barely more a blip. But it's growing right along, nice and healthy."
" Can you determine its Father?"
" Wait a mo, mummy�" Drusilla looks in her purse, and pulls out a pack of Tarot cards. She deals the cards down on the table, crossing them over each other. " Hmmm� Hmmm� yes, indeed. Here's daddy dear," She holds up a card.
It�s a picture of a large cat, panther like and pure black. Dr. Walsh smiles. Our Faith, indeed!
" Well done, Drusilla. I don't suppose you could locate them?"
Drusilla closes her eyes, holding the panther card. She beings to hum softly to herself. She frowns.
" I can't seem to spot them. I can feel they're close mummy, but they seem to move and move and move�"
" That's alright, Drusilla. They're probably moving to avoid us finding them. I have men in the field. We'll capture them yet."
" May I play with the precious baby when it's born, mummy?" Drusilla looks expectant.
" We'll see, dear, " Dr. Walsh says. The last thing she wants is Drusilla to be near the baby when it's born. " You may go now, dear."
Drusilla, however, doesn't move. She starts to murmur a rhyme.
" I saw and old friend, he lived in me shoe.

He looked so sad and lonely, I didn't know what to do�"
" Was there something else , Dru?" Dr. Walsh asks. She gets creeped out spending too much time with Drusilla.
" Oh� not really mummy. I was just curious� what do they do downstairs?"
" Downstairs?" Dr. Walsh looks puzzled. " you mean in the labs downstairs?"
" Aye mummy, those clean and white and shiny places."
" They run experiments for Research and Development, Dru." Dr. Walsh gets suspicious. " Why do you want to know?"
Drusilla says in a sing song voice:
" I saw an old mate,
He wasn't at all the same
He was in an awful state
I don't believe he knew my name�

" Drusilla, what is it?" Dr. Walsh is curious and suspicious at the same time.
" Oh, I think I should show you something, mummy, if you promise you won't beat me."
" Of course I won't beat you, dear, " Dr. Walsh assures her. " Did you do something bad?"
" Oh, no, not me, Dr. Walsh. But I think something bad's been done�"
Dr. Walsh doesn't like the sound of that.
" Show me, Drusilla."
Drusilla leads the way as they leave the office.

3

The van pulls up to an old abandoned warehouse in the heart of the Sunnydale commercial district. The side door slides open, and the occupants pile out. They go and open one of the loading doors, and Giles drives in. They close the door behind them.
Inside, the warehouse has been converted to a temporary living quarters. Along one wall is a row of cots, each separated by a privacy curtain. Close to them is a bathroom facility, built into the space as a separate room.
Across from the living area is a work area. A large table and chairs are set up; across the warehouse from it is a small laboratory. Nothing fancy, pretty much the basic equipment.
With the exception of a mess area with some basic cooking appliances, the rest of the warehouse is pretty bare. It's not designed for comfort; more for an emergency. Such as they're having now.
" Hey, Will, are you ok?" Buffy says, coming up to her friend.
Willow looks pale and drawn. Her eyes look bloodshot, and she has her arms folded across her stomach. She looks at Buffy and smiles. It's a rather wan smile.
" I'm ok. Just feeling a little punk. Think it'll be ok if I go lay down?"
" Of course, Will, " Buffy says, a little worried. " Do you want me to get Giles to look at you?"
" No, no� I'm fine� just maybe a little� Uhhhh. " Willow, clutching her stomach, runs for the bathroom.
" What's goin' on?" Faith comes up behind Buffy." Oh�damn�is she�?"
" Yeah, she is. Maybe you should�?"
Faith doesn�t answer. She just runs after Willow
Willow leans over the bowl, the contents of her stomach coming up again. She reaches to flush, and the noise brings a flash in her head.
" Who is it, Rory?" Claire asks, waiting by the door. When she doesn't get a response, she goes back into their room.
Rory is leaning against the wall, looking pale. She's still holding the phone. Claire, worried, approaches her carefully. She lays a hand on Rory's arm.
" Are you ok?" She asks, quietly.
"Yeah� yeah, I'm fine, " Rory says, pulling herself together. She hangs up the phone. " Everything's fine."
" Rory, you're white as a sheet. What's wrong? What's going on? Who was that?"
" Nobody. It's nothing�I'm just feeling a little punk�" Rory wanders over towards the bed." Mind if we kinda put off the celebrating? I think I need to lie down for a bit."
" Rory, talk to me. What's going on? You were fine 5 minutes ago�" Claire comes to her. " Is it Brad? Something to do with Brad? Is he ok?"
Rory gives her a strange look. " Oh I'm sure he's just fine, Claire, " She laughs, mysteriously. " Just peachy."
" Rory Wilkins, what's going on? You're acting weird."
" Claire? I just need to be alone right now, ok? I mean� just go ahead and go out, or whatever. I just need� " she goes to the bed, and lies down." I just need to think for awhile."
" Rory�."

" Claire! Back OFF! Go!" Rory turns her back on her friend.
Claire, stung, backs away. She stops close to the doorway.
" Fine. Be alone then!" She storms out.
Oh God, What'm I gonna do?

4

She sits on a stone bench in the student square, watching the fountain. It's a cold October day, and she is bundled up in a large overcoat and scarf. Even so, she doesn�t really notice the weather, or the fountain, or anything around her.
" Rory?" The young man approaches the bench. He's tall, good looking and obviously athletic. He sits on the bench next to her. " What's up? Why the 911?"
She looks at the young man, then looks away.
" Hey, Brandon."
" What's going on?" He picks up her vibe. " What's wrong?"
Her face looks as if all the miseries of the world have descended on her. She still looks away from him, not wanting to face him. She wrings her hands nervously.
" What? What's going on?" Brandon is starting to get a little scared.
" I� I�" Rory stammers. " I'm� pregnant."
" What?" Brandon almost whispers.
" Pregnant, I'm pregnant." She repeats.
" How�how did that happen?"
" What do you think?" Her emotions running all over the place, " the usual way."
" But� you were � you were using birth control� weren't you?" Brandon's voice is starting to get irritated. " You told me you were on the pill�:

" I was� am� was�. Oh hell, I don't know. I was on the pill, but something didn't go right. All I know is I'm pregnant!"
" Is� is it mine?" He asks.
" How can you even ask that?" She explodes. " I was a virgin when I slept with you. I haven't been with anyone else!"
" Ok, ok, I'm sorry�" Brandon puts up his hands.
" What're we gonna do?" She looks at him. " This couldn't happen at a worse time. I can't have a baby now! I'm �I've got my finals, and then I've been accepted to the advanced Bioengineering program� this ruins everything!"
"Don't. Don't worry," Brandon sounds a little nervous. " We'll take care of it."
" Take care of it? What're you talking about? You're not �" She looks at him closely. " What exactly are you talking about?"
" You know. Go to a clinic. Have it taken care of, " he replies. " I can get the money somewhere�"
" Are you insane?" She looks at him like he's grown a second head. " I can't do that! I'm a Catholic!"
" So?"
" That's� murder, according to the church. I can't do that!"
" Well, what else are you going to do?" He asks, " I mean, run around with a papoose on the back? I don't get you."
" What am I going to do?" Rory looks at him incredulously. " When did this become I ? It took two to make this baby�"
" Hold up. No way! There's no goddamn way. No way you're sticking me with this!" He starts to lose his temper. "if you'd been careful, this wouldn't have happened!"
" What're you talking about? I was careful. Why didn't you wear a goddamn rubber?"
"Why should I? You were supposed to be on the pill! I mean, the Pope doesn't like that either!"
" I WAS ON THE PILL. IT DIDN'T WORK!" Rory, totally upset, yells at him.

" Well, too bad. I mean, how do I even know it's mine!"
" What? I just told you� you're the only one I've been with."
" Yeah, you say that. But how do I know?"
" I love you, idiot. That's why. I never would�" She starts to see the light. " You're trying to weasel out. That's it, isn't it? You're trying to weasel out on this!"
" Hey, for all I know, you've been sleeping around with anybody. I mean, what kind of girl is on the pill before she's ready to have sex?"
" You dope. You can't just go on the pill, then have sex. It doesn't work that way. It takes time for the body to adjust to it. Ask any doctor!"
" Yeah, well, all it tells me is that you were ready to have sex with me� and probably half the guys on campus."
SLAP!
" You son-of-a- bitch!"
" Don't you hit me, you slut!" He stands up, red faced. " No way you're sticking this on me. I'm not getting tied down with some slut who's been whoring around with who knows who. No way I'm supporting some other guy's kid!"
" I'll get a DNA test, you creep. I'll �"
" Forget it, slutty. I've got about 30 guys that'll swear they've slept with you. Get over it. This is NOT HAPPENING!" He spits on the ground in front of her. " Get real. Think I want to be tied down with a wheezer like you? " He starts to walk away from her.
" Come back here! This isn't over!" She's up, running after him.
He turns, and strong arms her, pushing her onto the grass.
"Stay the fuck away from me!" He turns and runs off.
Rory watches his retreating form, and sits there, not wanting to follow him. She slumps, holding herself. She tries not to cry, tries to keep it together. But she's hurt, and alone, and the tears just come.
" Rory?" Claire, on her way to class, sees her friend sitting on the ground. " Rory?"
Rory looks up, face tear stained.
" Rory, oh my god. What's wrong?"
" Nothing�nothing�" She starts to shake.
" Rory, tell me, honey," Claire kneels by her, putting an arm around her.
" God, Claire. I messed up so badly. I'm so screwed!" She clings to Claire, starting to cry again.
" Rory, honey, tell me. God, you're scaring me!"
" I � I'm pregnant!"
" Oh, Rory!" Claire pulls her closer. " Brandon?"
Rory nods.
" Did you tell him yet?"
" Y-Y-Yes"
" What happened?"
Rory tells Claire about the fight, and what Brandon said to her.
" That� bastard!" Claire's eyes narrow.
"What'm I gonna do, Claire?"
" Shhh� don't worry, baby. We'll figure it out, " Claire says softly.
" We'll get through it"

5

Willow comes back to reality, looking at the swirling water in the bowl. She feels like her whole life is like that now, one great big whirlpool, sucking her in and tossing her about like a leaf. She hears a noise and looks up to see Faith standing at the doorway, looking in.
" What do you want?" Willow asks, feeling like crap. She turns back towards the bowl as another wave of nausea hits her.
" I just came to see if you're ok, " Faith says, coming over to her.
" Oh yeah, I'm peaches, can't you see?" Willow almost snarls at her. Then her stomach turns over, and its up in the bowl again.
Faith holds her head, gently wiping away the sweat, keeping her upright. Willow, after the heaving is done, shakes her off.
" Maybe I'm just faking this, you know? Maybe it's all a scam." Willow sounds hurt and angry.
" Oh, god, Red, I'm so sorry, " Faith tries to hold her, but Willow wriggles away. " I've been a bitch, I know it. I�"
"What? You're jealous of some stupid ass robot? Is that it. What? You think I'm gonna up and run away with it?" Willow shakes her head. " Don't you think �never mind, stupid question, you don't think." She kneels back down by the bowl. Faith puts her hands on Willow's shoulders. " What? You're still here?" Willow asks, sarcastically." Better run and check make sure I haven't run away yet, " She says, angrily, making no sense.
" Do you want me to go?" Faith asks, voice low.
" Yes!" Willow snaps. Then softens her tone. " No, god no. I just� you were so mean�dammit�and I'm so scared�"
"Oh, baby, " Faith says, coming over to her. She kneels down, and Willow leans heavily into her. " I'm scared too�I don't know what to do here, how to help�I feel� so �useless."
" I'm too young for this, Faith. I'm too damned young to be a mommy. God, I can barely take care of myself. How'm I gonna take care of a baby?" She feels another wave of nausea, and leans over the bowl. Nothing comes up. " How am I gonna support a baby? How would I take care of it? God, my parents wouldn't even let me have a puppy. I'm going to be a horrible mother."
Faith flushes the toilet, then closes the lid, offering the seat to Willow. Willow sits, looking at the crouching Faith.
For awhile, that's all that happens, they don't know what to say.
" It's gonna be ok, Red, honest. We'll figure this out," Faith says, but her tone isn't convincing. More, it's like she's trying to convince herself.
"We? What we?" Willow says, sadly," you seem to want to bolt, Faith. I don't know� you've been getting more and more remote over the last couple of weeks� I can barely talk to you these days without you losing your temper. You sure it's me that's pregnant? Cuz you're having all the mood swings!"
" I'm sorry, Red. I don't know why I've been so� that's a lie. I'm scared, Red. I'm a kid. I'm not ready to be � what am I? � a dad? A mom? Damn, I'm so screwed up. And I can't figure how I'm gonna help you. Protect you and the baby�and they're coming after us� oh god, what if they get a hold of you and the baby? Who knows what that bitch would do�"
" I'm scared too, Faith. I'm not ready at all for this�" Willow sits up, " but you're dancing around the issue. What about the baby? How're we� you and me� gonna take care of it? I mean, what kind of job can you get, or I get , or we both get, to provide for it. Clothes, food, diapers, medical care�a house�what�how're we gonna do that? How?"
" I dunno, Red. I don't have any answers�" Faith looks stricken. "I'm gonna be a daddy�and I can't even deal with my own life yet. How'm I gonna raise the baby, make it strong, and all, if I'm so fucked up about myself. �" Faith looks away." I'm no good at this. I don't know anything about being in a family�how to deal�none of it�"
" And I do? I'm a kid too, Faith. I should be in school, or home, or going to parties and dances�or studying� or hanging out with my buds. I shouldn't be thinking of how I'm going to be a mother. How I'm going to deal with all the responsibility. How I'll deal if my baby isn't�human� god, what if it's some kind of half human freak?"
" Red� Willow�" Faith comes to her, encircling her in her arms. " It's �we'll figure it out. We will."
" Why? I mean, what's the point? We'll probably just end up on some table, that bitch-doctor Walsh cutting us open like frogs in a dissection pan," she pushes Faith away. "No, I don't want to be held, not right now� I need to think� I can't think when you hold me. Just let me go!" She turns on Faith. " you don't have to do this. You can walk away. Why don't you just walk away?"
" Because I can't, Red. I can't walk away� I won't walk away. I'm scared as hell but I'm not leaving you alone to face this. I won't do that!"
Willow continues to struggle, but Faith just pulls her closer, tighter to herself. Willow finally gives up, and leans against her. She starts to cry softly.
"What're we gonna do, Faith? What're we gonna do?"

6

" This is monstrous!"
Maggie Walsh looks down on the gurney in front of her. Her eyes are wide and angry, her lips tightly pressed together. She's still trying to take in what she's seeing, She can't believe her own eyes.
Lying on the table is what's left of the man she once knew as Lt. Commander Riley Finn. But man doesn't quite describe him anymore.
He's large, much larger than before. His proportions are all out of whack. His chest arm and legs muscles are huge, almost a hulking mass of tissue and bone. His head is also proportionally larger, the brow ridge prominent, the jaw recessive while the overbite is exaggerated. His eyes� god his eyes are almost pig-like in his face, and his nose more resembles a snout than a human nose.
And he's much taller. Almost 7 feet tall. He's literally been made into a monster. At the moment, the � thing � is asleep.
Dr. Walsh on the other hand, is wide awake and furious.
" Ethan Rayne. That bastard did this to him. Made him� this�this�" She's so angry, she can barely speak.
" I saw him down here, and I didn't know him at first, mummy, " Drusilla says, " I recognized him by the tattoo on his arm�"
On his arm is a navy tattoo of an anchor� Maggie remembers seeing that once or twice herself.
" Ethan must've done this to get back at me. God, I hate that man. First he's ruined Cordelia. He's turned her into some kind of slut whore for his amusement. Who knows what those ' nanobots' of his have done to her DNA coding. I don't even know if it's possible to bring her back�" She looks down at Riley. " And now this? Making Riley into some kind of monster. Probably plans on killing me with it. Wouldn't that just be irony out the ass?"
" You want Spike and I should do something to him, mummy?" Drusilla comes closer. " We can think up all sorts of fun we could have with him."
" No� not yet� I can't do anything to him yet. I need his money and his influence to get what I need to finish my research." Dr. Walsh says tightly. " No, for now, we let him think it's his game. Get on his good side, get through his defenses�" She turns to Drusilla. " Then, when the time's right, you and Spike can have all sorts of fun with our dear Mr. Rayne."
At that moment, her cell phone goes off. She answers it, still fuming from the perfidy she sees in front of her.
" Yes, what is it? What� you've spotted them? Where?" She listens, a smile coming over her face. Finally�something's going right!." No� don't do anything yet. Keep them under surveillance. Yes, that's an order. Take no action yet. Watch them for awhile, and report back in. Yes. Yes, that's right. You'll get your bonus. Yes. Goodbye."
Sloppy, Giles. Very sloppy. You're new ' safe house' is compromised. Now, we'll just wait until you or one of your little friends slips up� then we'll see who's on top of whom. Thought you could get away with this, didn't you?
She looks at the table where the monster formerly known as Riley Finn lays. She frowns.
Maybe, dear Giles, I have just the thing for you. Maybe.
" Now, we just wait for the mice to take the bait�"
Turning her back on the gurney, she leaves the underground lab.

7

" Bogus. This is bogus," Faith shakes her head, looking over their ' plans'.
Faith, Buffy, Angel and Oz are around the conference table, looking at a map of the Rayne estate. It's a detailed map showing locations of buildings, the general layout, and the security systems installed on the estate.
" The whole thing is surrounded by huge walls, topped by electrified razor wire. It's like getting cut and burned at the same time. We're not gonna be able to get through that."
" The walls run only along the front of the estate, Faith. The rest is just chain-link fencing with razor wire backing it. " Angel points out on the map.
" Yah-huh. And still electrified. So when you're going in the with bolt cutters, you still get a nice 30,000 volt kiss. Exactly where did you want us to send the body, Angel?" She smirks at him." Or more likely, the ashes?"
" Faith! You don't have to get so nasty with Angel," Buffy glowers at her.
"Not being nasty, Blondie. Just facing facts"
" Faith, look here, " Angel points at a secluded area at the rear of the estate." See that? That might be our way in."
" What? All I see is � well, damn, I didn't see that," Faith admits.
There appears to be a hole in the defenses at the rear of the estate. A patch of woods crosses over the Rayne estate at the rear, and there doesn't seem to be any fencing or other devices at that point.
" Still� what's to say that a goon squad of Rayne's security won't be there waiting? I'm thinking they won't be carrying sacks of cookies for us, either. And even if they're not Johnny on the spot, what's to say his thugs don't get us once we're in?" Faith makes a face, " kinda like jumpin outta the frying pan right into the double boiler, ya know?"
" Ok, that's really so not helping, " Buffy says, " What's the deal? Why're you being so negative? You got any ideas at all? If so, we'd love to hear them� be a nice change from ' that's not gonna work'."
" I got an idea," Oz says quietly.
" What?" The others turn to him.
" We don't go in. We get the hell outta here, and get lost. What's the point, anyway?"
" Oz, Cordelia might be in there," Faith says, " we can't leave her with those bunch of freaks."
" Right, so we get her out and she can be with this bunch of freaks," Oz says, the bile clear in his tone." I'm sure she'd love that."
" Better than being cut up into kibbles, I'm pretty damned sure," Faith is perturbed. What's his deal, anyway?
" Oz, we can't just leave her in there," Buffy says, quietly, " those � monsters might just dissect her or worse. If there is anything worse, I don't know. I just figure if there is, they'd know it and do it."
" What's to say she's even in there?" Oz asks. " Who's seen her? For all we know she ran away to New York. So we go in, find no Cordelia, oh and get killed for the laughs?"
" Ok, Ozman," Faith hooks his arm, pulling him away from the others. " Why the big poop on the party? What's going on? You're so negative-o on this plan. Why?"
"Cuz, cousin, it's bogus, like you said. All this happy crap about us being together, united and all that. Take a look. We got what? 5 scared kids and some nerdy doctor� against a billionaire and his resources. Doesn�t take a genius to figure who's gonna come out on top."
" We had less when we went in for you, Oz? Or did you forget that?"
"No, I didn't, " Oz says, " But you guys coulda gotten killed, and for what?" He looks at her with a cynical expression. " Get me out? Everything's so peachy now, isn't it Faith?"
" You woulda preferred we left you with them?" Faith looks angry.
" Yeah, I really would've. What the fuck do I got out here? A fucking life as Wolf boy, freak of science. Think I want that, Faith? I wanna be nothin' but a freak for the rest of my life? Thanks loads for making that happen!"
Faith goes to slap him, but stops herself. Instead, she pulls him into a hug. Oz resists, pushing her away. She persists, and finally backs him into the wall.

" Listen to me, Ozman. Long as I'm breathing, you're not alone. You're my cousin, and that's not changing."
" That's just more programmed crap, Faith. It's doesn't mean squat."
" Does to me, moron. You're family. Get it?" When he doesn't respond, she pulls him into a hug. " Get it?"
" Yeah," Oz replies, " I get it." But he doesn't sound convinced.
" Then stop being an idiot, and lets get back. See if we can figure this thing out." She shoves him towards the group.

Across the way, Willow and Giles are examining the newly christened Dawn Bot. Willow has her access panel open, and is adjusting some wiring inside it.
"Stop that, it tickles," Dawn giggles. She slaps at Willow's hand.
" You don't have nerves in your wiring, Dawn, " Willow shakes her hand, checking a lead connector." Stop fussing."
" It tickles, I'm not kidding. You keep it up and I'm gonna pee my pants!" Dawn giggles hysterically. She starts to wriggle in the chair. " Stop it!"
" There, done, " Willow shakes her head. Not sure I didn't prefer Anne's come-ons to this bot's inanities. Tickles my butt!
" 'bout time!" Dawn says, " What're you doing in there, anyway?"
" I'm just making sure you haven't fried a circuit or 6. You're acting like a moron," Willow grumbles.
" That's enough, Willow. Let's just see if Dawn retains any of Anne's memory of Ethan Rayne."
" I don't see why not," Willow says, " she should have all the data stored in her non-volatile memory. All we have to do is figure how to access it."
" Well, we could ask her," Giles says, gently. Willow just gives him a look.
" Ask me?" Dawn perks up, looking at both of them. " What do you want to ask me? I know bunches of stuff. I'm really smart, you know."
" Yes, you've said that, repeatedly, " Willow half grins, half scowls. God, she is sooo annoying!
" Dawn, what can you tell us about Ethan Rayne?" Giles asks the 'bot.
" Oh, lots and lots!" Dawn smiles brightly," I know lots about Ethan." She frowns. " Not very nice, some of it." Her eyes go wide. She looks at the both of them. " What's a rim job?" She asks innocently.
Giles looks aghast, while Willow turns white, then red. " Ummm� where'd you hear that?"
" Oh, I was accessing some of the personal data of Anne's and it seems Ethan was particularly fond of rim jobs. Does that have anything to do with car rims?" Does he like then nice and polished?"
Giles and Willow both look embarrassed and somewhat pained.
" Oh, wait�I'm accessing a definition for � oh� OH!" Dawn's eyes go wide." That's just�nasty!" Her cheeks turn red. She looks at the others " Who would do such a thing?". The Dawn Bot shudders.
Pretty sure when you were the Anne Bot, you gave plenty of them, Willow thinks, blushing a little herself.
" I think maybe we can stay away from Ethan's personal peculiarities, Dawn," Giles, cleaning his glasses, coughs a little. " Maybe we should start slowly. How about a small biography of his career."
" Ok, " Dawn squeaks a little, still thinking of that Ethan's peccadilloes. She closes her eyes for a few moments, then begins. " Ethan Rayne. Born August 7th, 1950 in Sussex, England. Mother Emily Rayne nee Forrester, Father Alistair Henry Rayne. Father successful businessman, VP of major shipping firm. Ethan was educated in Eton, then Cambridge. Got his MBA at Harvard, joined the Wall Street firm of Myers, Cohen and Shull as an investment banker. Remained with them 7 years before branching out into his own financial investment company."
"He soon found that the real money was made in less than legitimate transactions made with shadowy and often illegal cartels world wide. While retaining the patina of respectability, his company took on more and more creative dealings with the shadow cartels. Nothing was ever proved, but it's rumored his dealings included money laundering, arms smuggling and corporate and international espionage. He narrowly escaped being implicated in more than one major financial scandal."
" In 1990, Ethan became involved with a group of weapons dealers and rogue scientists known only as the BioWar Cartel. Their sole purpose was to develop and control weapons of mass destruction. They developed an extensive black market of 'products' for sale to the highest, and often most corrupt, bidders. Using his financial connections, he was able to create a cover company, " RAYNE INTERNATIONAL" to hide the cartel's activities. This began in 1991."
" By 1995, Rayne International had diversified, moving into High Tech weaponry and secret projects. In 1996, Ethan began a secret campaign to eliminate his rivals within the BioWar cartel. He accomplished this goal in 2001, when his last rival, Ali-Sheik Rhamed was found �well, lets say he was merely a grease spot of his former self." Dawn looks at them. " Not a very nice man, " she comments, and continues. " Once he consolidated his power, he began his current project, still ongoing. Code named " Global Rayne", it is his personal goal to literally take over the financial , economic and social structures of the planet, bringing them all under one umbrella corporation. His corporation."
" Good Lord!" Giles exclaims, " He plans on�" He notices Willow seems to be staring away, not paying attention.
Willow for her part, is caught in a flashback.
Rory Wilkins is in her dorm room, packing. Her roommate, Claire, walks in, catching her.
" Rory? What's going on?" She comes over and sees the open suitcases. " You're leaving?"
Rory looks up, eyes red and puffy from crying. " What choice do I got, Claire? My life here is over� everything is over. My fucking life is over!" She stuffs things willy-nilly into the cases.
" Rory, honey," Claire comes over the distraught girl, trying to take her in her arms. Rory backs off, however. " It's going to be ok. It's not the end of the world!"
" It's the end of my world, Claire. I worked hard to get here, right here� and now its being snatched away from me," Rory looks at her friend, " I lost my internship today!"
"What? How could they?" Claire is offended. " You're the best candidate for the position."

" Yeah, if I weren't pregnant. They didn't say that was it, but I know that's the reason, Claire. They don't want some bulging, pregnant cow working at their research facility."
" That's sexist. They can't do that! That's against the law!" Claire looks for her soapbox to mount.
Rory looks at her sadly. " That's reality, Claire." Her mouth is a tight line across her face. She closes the cases.
" Rory, you can't just leave. Ok, so those bastards took away an internship. There'll be others. Better ones. You've got to fight this, Rory. You can't just give up."
" Yeah, sure, " Rory says, unconvinced." So, what? I just go on, forget I lost my shot, Claire? This was with Brandon Microtrends. They were part of Rayne International. The largest high tech company in the world. I could've been set� " Rory's face takes on an expression Claire has never seen before. Anger, bitterness and despair. " You got no idea what I � what I gave up, to get this shot�and it's fucking gone! I gave everything for this. Everything I had, " Rory picks up the cases. " That's gone, baby. Gone." Her face becomes cold, hard, set in stone. " I can't do this anymore, Claire. Can't take it anymore. Gotta go�"
" Rory, please," Claire comes to her. She puts her arms around her. Rory stands as if made of stone. " Don't leave, please. Let me help you. I can help you if you let me."
For a moment, Rory's expression softens. She looks at Claire, and a tear rolls down her cheek. Then her face sets, and she pulls away.

" I'm sorry, Claire. No one can help now."
Rory turns, and setting down a case, opens the door. She picks up the case, and disappears down the hallway.
Claire walks to the doorway, and watches her go. She wants to call out, but knows it won't do any good.
She watches until Rory disappears.
Then she shuts the door.

Willow starts, and looks at Giles. " Geeze� sorry�" She sees his expression. " I guess I just�"
" Are you quite all right, Willow?" He asks, looking at the young girl. She's so pale� " Maybe you should lie down. You look a bit peaked."
Willow grins. " No ones exactly looking great right now, Dr. Giles. When was the last time you saw a razor?" She teases him. " Maybe I'll do that. Feeling a little crappy." She gets up, making for the rest area.
Giles turns back to Dawn. " All right, Dawn. What else can you tell me of Ethan's plans?
Willow watches, and when Giles turns, she veers off course. She heads for the doors. Watching carefully, she makes her way unnoticed. She quietly opens the door, and slips out, shutting it quietly behind her.
She leans heavily against the wall of the warehouse. Her expression is one of hopeless defeat.
I can't do this anymore. I can't! I gotta get out of here. Get away� this is all too much� too much. I can't deal, I just can't�
" Willow?"
Willow looks up. At the end of the alley, Ira and Sheila Rosenberg are standing, looking at her.
" Mom? Dad?" Willow can't believe her eyes. " What� how� how did you find me?"
" Willow, does it matter? We're here to take you home, baby, " Ira says, " come on, come home. Everything's ok."
" Dad! They� the Initiative� they're looking for us. You've got to go�please." Willow finds herself walking towards him. " You and mom aren't safe� please, go!"
" Don't be ridiculous, Willow, " Sheila says. " The Initiative? What's that� Oh, I remember," Sheila turns to Ira," God, Ira� that madman really has them convinced." She turns back to Willow. " Honey, we talked to Dr. Walsh. Dr. Giles, it seems, suffered a nervous breakdown. He's been showing signs of it for almost a year. But � all this� this Initiative and all the rest of it he told us about at the Chase mansion? Just his delusion, baby. It's nothing more than that. Where are the others?"
Willow wants to believe her. She so needs to believe her. God, if she's � that means� the nightmare's over� we can go home�
She walks closer� then stops. Faith. What about her? How did she get that way? Something's not right�
" What about Faith?" She calls out.
At that moment, Ira raises a pistol and aims it at her. He fires, and the bloom of a trank dart appears on her chest. She looks at it, and then another appears. She looks up.
" Daddy?" She says, right before she falls to the ground.
Ira signals, and a couple of operatives, dressed in black, come and pick up the unconscious girl. A third operative warily makes his way to the building, and leaves an envelope close to the door. He then joins the other two, and they take Willow out of the alley.
" What about the others," Sheila says. " Should we get them too?"
" No, not now. Dr. Walsh is most concerned with Willow. She has her now� the others? Can wait." He looks at the warehouse, " No telling how heavily armed they might be. No, better to have them come to her." He smiles.
They turn and leave the alley.

8

" Hey, Giles, do you know where Willow went?" Faith asks, walking up behind Giles.
" Hmmm?" Giles is still busy interrogating the robot. " She went over to lay down, " He says, a little irritably. " Perhaps you should check there."

" Maybe you should, Giles. I already checked there. And the bathroom. She's not in either place."
" Well, did you check over by the mess?"
" Dammit, Giles. I checked there. Where is she?" Faith's temper is starting to rise.
" I don't know. She said she was going to lay down," He looks towards the doors, " you don't think�"
" Dammit. She must've� but we're not supposed to go outside. She knows that�" Faith goes pale. " Oh god, she was so scared earlier� what if she�" She turns, and runs towards the doors.
" Faith! WAIT!" Giles calls out after her.
But Faith is already at the door, and going through it.
" What's going on?" Buffy stands as Giles passes her. " Where's she going?"

" Willow's missing!" Giles says as he passes.
" Missing?" She turns to Angel, who's up. Oz is also standing , and the three of them make to follow Giles out.
They find Giles staring down the alley. Faith is at the entrance to the alley, looking around. She comes back, her face red with anger.
" Gone, she's nowhere around. Gone, " She cries out, running towards Giles. " This is your fault. Yours and that fucking bunch of perverted creeps you worked with. You did this to her. You � I should kill you!" She runs at Giles, and starts attacking him.
" Faith, no! Stop!" Buffy and Angel run over, pulling her off Giles. Giles backs up a step, his glasses askew, his clothing torn. He stares at Faith.
" He did this! Him and those� bastards he works for. They did this to her. They � made us like this" She screams at Giles " YOU'RE THE MONSTERS! YOU AND WALSH AND THE REST!!! YOU FUCKING FREAKS!!!!" She struggles against Buffy and Angel, trying to get at him. " You did this to her. She's out there alone and scared, because of YOU!"
" Faith, calm down� " Angel says, trying to subdue the upset girl.

" Calm DOWN, ANGEL? CALM DOWN?" She yells. " What if it were Buffy? WOULD YOU BE SO FUCKING CALM THEN?"
" Faith, wait� " Oz says, coming to her. " I found this by the door�" He looks up at Giles. " It's addressed to you."
" Gimme that!" Faith snatches it out of his hands. " Think I trust the professor there?"
She tears open the envelope, then reads the letter. Her face goes dark, and her expression becomes angry. She reads it out loud so the rest can hear.
" Dear Giles,
Tsk, Tsk. Sloppy work, Rupert. Very careless. But then, that's always been you're hallmark, hasn't it? I know where you are. Your new safe house? Not very safe, is it , old boy? And I have Ms. Rosenberg as my guest, at the Rayne estate. I'm sure you know where that is, don't you?
If you want her back, come get her. We'll be waiting for you.
Ta ta for now
Cordially,
Ethan Rayne.
Ps: Just so you know, old boy. Maggie's working for me now. Thought you'd like to know."

" Bloody burke!" Giles swears softly. He looks at Faith, who's staring at him angrily. " We'll get her back, I promise Faith. I'm hoping to get more information out of the 'bot. Maybe we can find some weaknesses to his defenses."
She just stares at him. Then she turns to the others. " C'mon. We've got to figure a way in now. Everybody start working on it. You too, Oz. I need you now , Couz!"
" Don't worry, Faith, " Oz says, putting an arm on her shoulder. " I'm with ya. We'll get her back."
All of them walk towards the door, but Faith stops Giles from entering.
" Look, I know it wasn't your fault that Willow bolted. She was upset and hurting."
" Thank you Faith, " Giles says. " Don't worry. We'll figure a way to get her back."
" We better. Because, I still blame you for this mess. If we don�t get her back?" She stares at him, her eyes hard.

" I'll kill you myself!"

To be continued.
- 13
- 14
- 15
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Initiative