Footnotes (Chap 5): Los Angeles

[Winifred Burkle]

Angel and Oz arrive in LA with whatever help they could scrounge up on short notice. Nina's back in LA and Angel wants to find her. He believes she could be helped by meeting and working with Oz and everyone else. Oz has learned a lot in the past few years about what it is to be one with the wolf within. He signed onto this project of Buffy's most for the reason he wanted to help others like him. People struggling to make some kind of peace with their animal within. So he quite willingly joined Angel in wanting to find this woman. He's curious to meet another wolf.



::Oz watched as the car drove into the heart of LA. He glanced out the window to see the billboards and traffic lights. He glanced at Angel, the two had said very little in their journey. They sort of exchanged nods before looking out their separate windows.::

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel looked out of his window and sighed. Back in LA again. Angel just hoped that this thing would go without a hitch. Angel knew firsthand just how dangerous LA could be, and with the small amount of people that had come along, he didn't really know whether or not it would go without someone getting hurt. He sighed again, and turned to Oz.::

Oz: ''When's the next full moon?''

::he asked. True, Oz may need the full moon, so he could start to help out Nina in LA, but the last thing Angel needed was two wolfs around near to a full moon. He knew Oz had a lot of control, but Nina...he just hoped that Oz could control her..::

[Winifred Burkle]

Angel: "It's about a week off. So if we find her in the next couple days we should have her back at the facility before then. Any idea where to start looking?"

::Oz didn't know much other than this Nina woman was a wolf. Besides that Angel hadn't said much else. Which made Oz curious about what she was like, about how she'd become a wolf, how long it had been, and what she was like when the wolf wasn't in control. He'd met another 'wolf' while with the monks, but besides that young man, and Veruca, Oz hadn't gotten to know many 'like him'.::

[Another Apocalypse?]

Oz: "Nah, I'm not sure where'd she'd go, she may have gone looking for me or she just could have gone to see her family. I know where a few of her family live, we could check there."

::Angel looked out of his window again. He remembered when he had first met Nina, and he and the rest of Angel Investigations had saved her from being a main course meal. He wondered how she'd react to seeing him again. Would she have the same feelings, or will they have changed? He didn't know, and right now, his personal life wasn't important::

Oz: "I suppose you'll want to know more about Nina then, seein that you're gonna be around her a lot."

[Winifred Burkle]

Angel: "Famly's a good place to start. Knowins something of her could be a good idea. If you know about how she became a wolf, and how she's been dealing so far? Otherwise I guess once we find her I'll ask."

::Oz glanced at Angel when he spoke, then back out the window. Angel had just said it was someone he knew. Oz didn't know how Angel knew her or what he knew of her. Although he figured Angel had to have had some dealings with her if he was concerned enough to come looking for her.::

[Another Apocalypse?]

Oz: "Back when we were doing Angel Investigations we got caught up with her. She was bitten in a park, and I was too late to stop it. Later we got word that she'd wolfed out and attacked her niece. I managed to get her away, and Wesley knocked her out. Let's just say, there was a guy with a fetish for eating werewolves, who kidnapped her. Me and the others only got there just in time to stop her becoming a gourmet meal. We took her to Wolfram and Hart, kept her safe there. I eventually told her and her sister and niece to leave the country and wait for me. They'd have probably gone back to their old house, or Wolfram and Hart to look for me, I don't know"

::Angel had purposefully held back the information about Nina's feelings for him. It wasn't a subject he felt like discussing with Oz::

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor leaned forward from the back seat.

Angel and Oz: "Thanks alot for letting me and Dawn tag along. There isn't much to do at the camp since that Drusilla chick showed up. And I'm sure we can be of some help to you here in LA. Besides, I was getting homesick."

:: Connor looked at Oz. He heard that Oz was a werewolf but that's all he heard about him. Oz was the type of person who kept to himself.

Oz: "So how long have you been a werewolf?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

::DAwn looked out into the night. She wondered what Buffy was doing? She stared at Connor he was kinda cute. She leaned forward too::

Angel:"Yeah thanks for letting me tag."

[Another Apocalypse?]

Dawn and Connor: "It was nothing. Just promise me to stay out of trouble, OK?"

::He had directed the "stay out of trouble" at Dawn mostly, because he knew Connor could take care of himself, and maybe Dawn, but the last thing Angel needed was Buffy being angry at him because her sister got killed or worse.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

::DAwn rolled her eyes she was sick of everyone treating her like a kid. She wasn't some defenceless little girl anymore.::

Angel:"Please I can so handle myself."

[Another Apocalypse?]

Dawn: "OK Miss Indipendent, if you say so, I just don't want your big sister gettin' all nasty with me and stuff 'cos you get diseboweled by a demon or something, OK?"

::Angel then sighed and turned back to face the front::

(Great, she's turning into a mini Buffy)

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn rolled her eyes as if to say please.::

Angel:"I'll be careful."

[Another Apocalypse?]

Dawn: "You better. And more to the point, does Buffy even know that you've come?

::Angel shifted and turned to the back seat again::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn fell silent she hadn't told Buffy she was going because she knew the answer would have been no. Buffy didn't trust Dawn nobody did except for Connor.::

Angel:"Not exactly. She knows I'm somewhere on the planet though."

[Another Apocalypse?]

Dawn: "Somewhere on the planet, uh huh, that's what I thought. Well, I'm not one to rat someone out, so you can stay. I just hope Buffy doesn't hurt me.."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: DAwn felt bad she knew Buffy and Angel had feeling for one another and she hadn't meant to cause trouble.::

Angel:"thank you"

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz watched a moment of the exchange between Dawn and Angel before actually answering Connors question.::

Connor: "Eight years or so."

::His life had gone through a lot of changes since then too. He went from ordinary dude, to wolfy guy. And then he'd gotten involved with an aspiring witch who was friends with the slayer and their little crew. Only to find the wolf was too much to handle like this and took off to find some balance. Returned, finding the witch, now with another girl, he'd left again, after finding he really didn't yet have a 'leash' on the wolf. After years away studing all kinds of meditation paths and eastern philosophies, he'd found a way to live with the wolf, to be a part of it. And thus, keep it under control. And now, he was back with that old crew of 'misfits' plus some, and he was looking to help a few people like him, get a hold on the wolf.::

[Another Apocalypse?]

Dawn: "No problem."

::Angel then turned to Oz::

Oz: "So, where to first? Wolfram and Hart, or her old house?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: DAwn smiled it was good to be around Oz him and Xander were like brothers to Dawn. She leaned back in her seat and looked at Connor.::

Connor:"So...."

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor look at Dawn who had some trouble starting a conversation.

Dawn: "It's a good thing my dad and Oz let us tag along. Otherwise we wouldn't have anything to do back at the camp. So have you met this werewolf girl we're gonna pick up?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: The only werewolf Dawn had ever met was Oz. She was glad Connor tried to start a conversation.::

Connor:" The only wolf I've ever met is Oz. What about you?"

[VisionGuy]

Dawn: "No, I've never met her either. Although, my dad did tell me a little bit about her. They've been seeing each other."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:; Dawn thought about how Buffy would feel she knew Buffy and Angel had a history and strong feelings but wasn't sure where that was leading::

Aloud:"I hope Buffy doesn't find out."

[Buffy Summers]

Oz suggested to Angel that they try her house first, since Nina probably wouldn't hang around Wolfram & Hart for long if Angel wasn't there.

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn stared into space. She was beginning to get bored evryone was so quiet. Dawn thought about Buffy and what she would say when she found out DAwn had left.::

Angel:"So how long do you think this thing is gonna take?"

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew returned to his room and rummaged through his disorderly closet. He picked out about a week's worth of clothes (knowing full well he wouldn't wear all of it, but it doesn't hurt to be ready) and stuffed it into his duffle bag, which was still on the bed from the battle a few nights ago. He packed up a few of his comic books and journal and left. He wasn't going to screw this up. This was his test. His right of passage. ::

I wonder if they'd mind if I listened to showtunes in the car ... Hmm.

:: Andrew made his way to the front of the compound to wait for Illyria and Amy. ::

[Winifred Burkle]

The driver was directed to where Nina's house was located and began heading that way.

All: "I hope it won't take too long."

::Oz would feel better once they found the girl in question and were headed back to the compound. There they had the resources to keep Nina comfortable during her changes, and he could start getting to know her and her experiences and try and help her make peace, so to speak, with her animal within.::

Angel: "Once we actually find her, will she come along with us easily?"

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria looked to Amy bored with just sitting there in the car riding around.::

"How much longer do we have to travel?"

:: Looking out the window she grunted. Not liking the whole going to L.A thing although it was better then just sitting at the compound waiting for another fight::

[+ Matt +]

::Amy sighed and sunk into her seat. She could feel Illyria's boredom and could relate with it well.::

Illyria: "I don't know...Another ten minutes?"

::She glanced at the car's stereo and let out a small sound of frustration.::

Andrew: "This is my car, why in Hecate's name are we listening to showtunes?"

::Having spoken these words, the music sounding from the stereo magically switched from showtunes to suit Amy's preference.::

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew was a bit disgruntled at Amy's frustration. It was just getting to the BEST part of "Phantom"! ::

Illyria: "We should be getting there soon. I don't know LA that well, but judging by those scantily clad ladies standing on that street corner ..."

:: Andrew pointed outside the window. ::

Illyria: "I'd say LA's pretty close."

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria looked back at Andrew and rolled her eyes..then looked to the women on the street corner.::

"I remember seeing these types of humans alot... when i first arrived. You are right..We're close"

:: glares out the window at the women::

" Why do they dress like that?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn looked at Oz it had been ages since she had seen him. He never really spoke much but Dawn loved Oz like a brother. He was always around and Dawn trusted him. Plus she thought the whole wolf thing was cool.::

Oz:"So Oz what have you been up to?"

[Winifred Burkle]

Dawn: "I spent a lot of time with monks in the far east. Learned about meditation, it was very interesting. Enlightening."

::Oz smiled and nodded after he spoke to Dawn. She was a smart girl, and stronger then she appeared. He'd always had an affection for the kid. It was kind of wild to see her again, she had grown up a lot since the last time he remembered seeing her.::

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew turned around in his seat to look at Illyria. ::

Illyria: "Well, most were abandoned as children. Never got the love they deserved, you know? A lot of them were probably abused at a young age ... But, mostly they're just hungry for money and drugs."

:: Andrew looked out the window and saw the Hollywood sign off in the distance. ::

Amy and Illyria: "Ladies ... I give you ... Los Angeles. City of Angels. City of Lonely Hearts. City of -"

:: Andrew could tell he was annoying the two, so he shut up quickly. Let's just hope they found Angel fast, or Andrew could end up on the street like those ... women. ::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: DAwn smiled at Oz. She'd missed him so much::

Oz:"Well I'm glad you're back."

[Winifred Burkle]

::Angel indicated he didn't think Nina would be too hard to convince, that they were friends. Oz nodded at that, as the driver indicated they were nearing the neighborhood Nina lived in.::

Dawn: "It's been nice to be back. It really has been like coming home to family."

::He smiled, very genuine, but Oz was always pretty genuine. He just didn't always say a lot. It was funny though how much he missed everyone, but didn't realize how much until he returned.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn gave Oz a hug from her seat. She couldn't believe he'd finally come back::

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz chuckled a little at the hug and patted Dawn on the shoulder as she did. She really was a sweet girl, he'd be sure to keep an eye on her while they were in LA. Even though he was sure he wasn't the only one who'd be making sure Dawn didn't get hurt. He glanced out the window as the driver pulled to a stop outside a house.::

Angel: "Is this the place? And did you want to be the one to greet her at the door?"

::He figured double check before anyone hops out, especially since once they opened the door, with it being still a bit of daylight, Angel would need to make a dash from the car to the porch. Although the daylight was starting to fade fast.::

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew sat quietly in the car for a few minutes. Occasionally, he would stare at Amy jamming out to the radio, or at Illyria, who at the moment was trying to figure out the magic used in the process of rolling down the windows at the touch of a button. ::

Amy: "Um, not to be a Debbie Downer and all that ... but where exactly are we going? I mean, how are we going to find Angel in a city of, like, a million people? It'll be like finding the real Harrision Ford at a Star Wars convention ... not easy."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn looked at everyone witing for someone to make a move she was getting bored. She felt so useless. And then it hit her she might be able to get this Nina person after all she was a girl.::

Angel & Oz:"I could get her? I mean I'm not a wolf or anything but I am the only girl here. I mean I know how to talk to girls kinda."

[Winifred Burkle]

Angel

::Angel smiled at Dawn.::

Dawn: "Thanks, but I should probably go."

::He glanced at Oz then and the others.::

All: "I don't want to overwhelme her in introductions, we can do that in the car. Oz why don't you come with though. If she's at all reluctant about the idea, maybe you'll have something to offer her. I hope she'll just agree though."

Oz

::Oz nodded, it seemed resonable anyway. He waited to open the door until Angel nodded he was ready.::

Angel: "Alright."

::Oz opened the door and hopped out. Angel quickly followed, his coat pulled up over his head, and raced to the porch. Oz followed a little slower behind, but not too slow. When he reached the porch Angel was already knocking on the door.::

Angel: "Hope she's home."

::He smiled.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn sat back in her seat. Everyone treated her like a kid and she hated it. Ok so technically she wasn't even 4 yet but she was still very mature for someone her age. Dawn looked at Connor and smiled.::

Connor:"So...."

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria looked at the streets of L.A and sighed slightly::

"Shouldn't we be there by now. Where is there anyways?"

:: tired and irritable Illyria lowered herself in the seat waiting for someone to figure out where they were heading.::

[Winifred Burkle]

::After about 10 minutes Oz came back to the car. Oz looked at everyone after patting out the smoke from the last bit of sun.::

All: "We're going to be staying the night in LA. Nina told us about an odd murder the other night in Downtown that Angel wants to check into. We'll be staying here for the night."

::He motioned for the driver to hang out here and keep watch and for Connor and Dawn to come inside.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn stepped out of the car and looked at Nina's house and thought about the murder. Buffy didn't really like her doing that sort of thing but Dawn thought she was mature.::

Oz:"So we're staying at Angel's girlfriends house? Buffy is so gonna kill me."

[Winifred Burkle]

Dawn: "I'd send you back if I could, but until we figure out what to do this is it. There's aparently something strange going on in LA that she thought was up Angel's ally."

::Oz didn't elaborate further, figuring they could all discuss it once inside. He didn't even get the whole story. But something Nina had said seemed to have caught Angel's attention.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn nodded at her friend. She'd known him for a while now and knew he was only looking out for her.::

Oz:"Thanks Oz."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew stared out of the window of their moving vehicle at the tall buildings and bright lights of the city. ::

Amy: You know, this city is really pretty from far away ...

:: Andrew caught the eye of a homeless man digging into a trashcan next to them at a stoplight. ::

Amy: But really ugly up close.

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel stood in Nina's house, casting his eyes around the room, and deliberately avoiding Nina's eyes. He hadn't seen her in ages, and he knew when they got back to the facility, it would be awkward, with her and Buffy there. What was a vampire to do?::

(Focus on the task at hand you idiot, don't worry about you're problems, they don't matter, OK)

[Winifred Burkle]

Nina

::The silence set in after Oz left the room. Nina glanced at Angel, wondering what to do. The time apart hadn't been that long, but it seemed like things were really different from when Angel had sent her and her family away from LA to protect them.::

Angel: "So, what happened with the whole apocalypse thing? Is everyone okay?"

Oz

::Oz led the way back to Nina's front door and opened it walking in catching just the end of Nina's question to Angel. He said nothing, just glancing at them. It had seemed kind of friendly but awkward when she'd invited them inside, and now it just seemed awkward.::

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel looked at Nina, and raised his eyebrows::

Nina: "Apocalypse? Nah, that was just another day at the office! But seriously, we took quite some knocks, lost a lot of blood, but, Apocalypse's are always gonna be around, no point complaining. Hows things with you?"

::Angel then turned to Oz and the rest as they walked in, but said nothing::

[Winifred Burkle]

Nina

::Nina kind of wondered about the almost glib response Angel had. Like if there was a lot more he just didn't feel like saying to her. Before she could wonder too much though she noticed Oz. She admitted she was curious about Oz, about him being a wolf like she was.::

Oz: "There's a couple spare rooms, cause my sister and niece aren't back in town yet. Go into the hall and it's the two rooms on the right. My niece's room is pretty easy to tell, it's very young girl. My sister's is the one with the big dresser."

::She looked at Angel again, and answered, regardless of the others in the room.::

Angel: "I'm alright. Just wondering still a little about what happened. I mean, it seemed like a lot more than just another day when you sent me and my family packing and out of the city. And then I come back to find you're not in LA anymore, and you've got like a whole new crew with you. It's just a little curious."

::Her voice was very low key, she was curious. Curious about what happened after she left, and about what was going on now.::


Oz

::Oz just nodded at Nina's directions and turned to Connor and Dawn.::

Connor & Dawn: "Want to claim a place to sleep?"

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel turned back to Nina::

Nina: "OK, look, if you wanna know the whole story, then is there somewhere more private that we could talk? Then I'll try to explain, though it's gonna be hard to."

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria sat up in the front seat closer to the window she looked out and around then to Amy::

"I sense them, They've come through here faint now strong then. Keep going."

::Illyria sensed Angel after being around him for as long as she had been she could sense where he was easily... just a feeling she got.::

"Turn... we're getting close."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn looked at Oz and smiled.::

Oz:"Sure."

:: She turned to Connor and grinned sheepishly.::

Connor:"you coming?"

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz kind of led the way into the hall and spotted the 'sister' and 'niece' rooms that were to be their accomodations for the night while they figured out what was going on. And if there was something they were going to be hunting here in LA.::

Dawn & Connor: "Anyone have room preferances?"

::He didn't know where Angel was going to sleep, and wasn't sure Buffy would appreciate her sister bunking up with guys. But then Dawn was growing up, she wasn't really a little kid, though she wasn't quite an adult either.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn looked at Oz. He was different then she remembered. Nicer, better looking. What was she thinking? Hormones it's just hormones.::

Oz:"Not really. I mean wherever is fine with me I'm used to sharing."

[Winifred Burkle]

Dawn & Connor: "Well, it looks like that room as a twin bed and some floor space. So someone could take the bed and someone could sleep on the floor. The other room has a, queen maybe, less floor space."

::Oz was just going on what the bed looked like to him. The rooms weren't that different in size so a bigger bed made the free space in the room significantly less.::

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn looked at the city he was coming back to.::

Gunn:"Yo Star Trek, remind me again why I'm back here."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew had forgotten Gunn had even been in the car. He had been silent for almost the entire trip. ::

Gunn: "Probably because Buffy didn't have anything important for you to do at the compound, so she sent you to help with the busy work. Join the club."

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn listened to Andrew's reponse::

Gunn: "So she sent me with you?"

::Gunn thinks: Great. Better get down on my knees and start praying.::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked in the backseat at Gunn and Andrew feeling slightly annoyed and yet had a slight feeling of joy that she at least Had fought along side Gunn in battle and he fought well, if anything were to break out.. She knew he could handle his own::

"They are close. We will arrive soon. Slow Down"

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn observed the blue demon. He still wasn't used to her, it?, not being Fred. His Fred. Guilt stabbed at his heart. If it wasnt for me... He shook his head. No! I can't think that. It's done now. I can't change the past. But even through the guilt, he did feel safer with the blue demon with the group. Cuz Andrew can't fight like crap!::

Gunn: "So, where's here exactly? I must have spaced during the briefing."

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked back at Gunn sensing guilt, she quickly shook it off, she knew all about how he had his part in bringing an end to their Fred but a new beginning to Illyria herself::

"It will be where Angel, and the Strong Blondes fighters will be."

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn internally chuckled when she said 'Strong Blondes'.::
Gunn: "It's called 'slayer'.

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria cocked her head to the side.::

"Slayer... she is a ruler of this world as like Angel believs himself to be?"

:: Illyria straightened back up turning her body in the seat alittle more to look straight at Gunn::

"These 'Rulers' of this world as they call themselves, they choose humans and vampires who have no real strength that could die in an instant, yet they still fight. Humans will never be understandable."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn looked at Oz and then at Connor. She didn't really know where to sleep. On the one hand she knew and trusted Oz and then there was Connor, he was kinda cute and sharing with him would give them a chance to get to know each other.::

Oz:"You know what. I'm gonna let you guys organise the sleeping arrangements."

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn shook his head, chuckling.::

"At least not to you."

::The car slowed down, and the gang got out of the car. Gunn turned to Andrew.::

"So, what's our first move, Watcher-guy?"

[buffetofsporks]

:: Watcher-guy? Andrew liked it. ::

Gunn: "Well, I think we need to figure out where we're at first ..."

:: Andrew looked around confused. They were in a subdivision. ::

[Angels baby101]

"A place inhabbited by humans...Angel is here, along with some other creatures that do not belong."

:: Illyria looked at a car parked in front of Amy's she touched the car and looked to the others::

"Its warm.. and Angel was in it."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew looked at the house the car was parked in front of. It looked ... normal. ::

Gunn, Amy, and Illyria: "Um ... so why would Angel be here, again?"

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked confused::

"Maybe he is here to recruite more humans."

:: Removing her hands from the car she slowly began to walk up to the house, keeping very close lookout for anything looking to fight, As she reached the door she cocked her head before turning to the others::

"Shall i break it?"

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn followed Illyria to the door of the house.::

"Try turning the handle. Might work better."

[Winifred Burkle]

::Before Oz could answer Dawn he heard the front door and wondered if someone was leaving or arriving or what. He poked his head around the corner of the door way to see. He saw the door opening and Gunn and some others arriving.::

Gunn: "Hey."

::He wondered what they were doing here. He'd thought this was a quick trip to pick up Nina. Of course when Angel had heard the mention of some hand, he's sounded like they might have something to fight. So perhaps it was good that there were more people here. He looked back to Dawn and Connor.::

Dawn & Conner: "Looks like there's more people to accomodate."

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn waited as Oz opened the door.::

Oz: "Mind if we join your party?"

::Without waiting for a response, Gunn entered the house, eyeing Dawn and Conner.::

"So what's the plan?"

[Winifred Burkle]

Gunn: "We're 'camping out' here tonight it seems. Nina mentioned something about a string of murders here in LA where witnesses seem to think it was only a hand. Angel seemed to think it was worth checking out. You have any idea what it might be?"

::Oz figured since Gunn had worked with Angel for so long, from what he'd heard, that perhaps he'd know what might have gotten Angel's attention with the 'hand' killing people.::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked at the people around the room with her head cocked taking in what they were saying::

"This is not what we were sent for... we were sent to collect the others.."

:: She looked around room she was in then back to the others::

" A small detour wouldn't hurt though."

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn thought a minute.::

Oz: "Do you know which part of the city? There's a lot of city here. And that could mean a number of possibilities."

[Connor]

::Connor had been sitting back next to Dawn with his arms closed waiting for them to decide which rooms everyone was getting when the others came in and they started to discuss what was going on.::

"We could split up, theres enough of us here... each of us take a part of the city... weaker ones can either stay behind or help the stronger ones."

::Connor looked at Dawn and then Shrugged after making his suggestion...deciding maybe it was best to just hang back and let the others decide what was going on it would give him more time to talk with Dawn.::

[Nina]

:: Nina sat and listened to Angel as he explained what had happened after she had leaft town with the rest of her family. She had taken his advise and left that night with her Sister and Niece, but she couldn’t rid herself of the overwhelming feeling of worry so she retuned to LA days later to find only rubble in the place of the Wolfram and Hart offices - Which didn't help with her anxiety.

She waited to hear from Angel, she had been listening out for any reports that sounded supernatural knowing Angel wouldn't be able to stay away, that's where she had herd of these murders that were occurring in the city. Witnesses claiming that the crimes were being committed by a single hand, of course the claims were being dismissed and the news was saying that the witnesses must be suffering from some sot of shock and once one person had mentioned the single disembodied hand the others had clung to it.

Nina sat and listened as Angel explained how they were saved from certain death by old friends, but that’s as far as he got before they herd the door opening and some people come into her home, she jumped from the sofa to her feet. A short while ago she had sent Angels friends in search of rooms to stay in for the night. She had returned to LA by herself, telling her Sister that she had won the holiday from a raffle in her Art class, but after only two days there she decided to go back and check on Angel, but convinced her sister Jill and Jill's daughter Amanda to stay and use the holiday to it's full potential, so they hadn't returned home yet.

Nina walked towards the door to the hall, turning to Angel, and looked him straight in the eye. Something he had been avoiding all night.::

Angel: "Come on, I guess I have more guests to welcome."

:: She smiled at him, knowing there must be a reason he had been so distant all night, although he was usually distant with her, he wasn't this bad.

She continued out into the hall and looked at the new guests, recognising Gunn and Illyria, and two other people she didn't know. She smiled warmly at Gunn ::

Gunn: "Hey, glad you survived the apocalypse. Knew it would take more then that to slow you down."

::She smiled again, placing her fingers into the pockets of her jeans, and rocking slightly on her feet. She smiled at Illyria, she had always thrown her. Something about her just threw Nina, she could sense that there was something not right, she guessed it was a side effect go her 'wolfeness'. She looked to the two other guests and waved slightly::

Andrew & Amy: "Hey, I'm Nina."

"Ok I'm guessing some people will be having an uncomfortable night, as we're totally over maximum occupation bed wise, although we do have a sofa and I'm sure there's a sleeping bag or two somewhere - That is if your all staying here?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn sat next to Connor getting bored of the whole discussion and not even bothering to listen to it anymore. She gave Connor a smile. He was a total hottie. She felt herself blush.

[Connor]

::Connor smiled back at Dawn... trying to pay attention to the conversation at hand but finding it Difficult.::

"So you've heard these kinda discussions alot too i guess with your older sister being the slayer? Gets boring quick though huh?"

:: Connor smiled as Dawn continued to blush..::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn nodded.::

Connor:"Yeah you should have heard Buffy last time. I mean even Willow was getting bored and she's usually good with that stuff."

[Connor]

::Connor chuckled alittle bit and kinda cleared his throat he still had mixed up memories, but he had them sorted out pretty well now.::

"Yeah Angel.. my dad's lectures can be boring too.. too drawn out.. but they usually have a point to them."

:: Connor kinda moved away from the group alittle bit Dawn following.::

"So whats it like being the Slayers little sister? I mean its gotta suck."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn thought about it for a while.::

DAwn:"Yeah sometimes but mostly it's cool. I mean Buffy's kinda down sometimes mostly over Angel oh know my boyfriends a vampire but I guess if she wasn't the slayer I wouldn't even be here. What about you? I mean being Angel's son can't exactly be easy."

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria watched the two teenagers as they moved away from the group alittle bit finally she looked at Nina.::

"I have no desire to sleep tonight. I'll stand by the window."

:: Illyria nodded and with that strolled over to it still in hearing distance of the conversation waiting for Angel's Instructions.::

[Connor]

:: Connor kinda shrugged his shoulders::

"Actually its more confusing then it is hard, its a long story but for a while i didn't even know Angel was my dad. He made a deal with someone to give me a new life so until recently i didn't know i was a vampires son or how a vampire could even have children and I still dont know the answer to that one. So whats your life like back in uh Sunnydale isn't it?"

:: Connor was trying hard to listen to both the conversation happening with Angel and the others along with Dawn... He knew she was getting bored and he wanted to help keep her mind off of that bordem::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn in some ways missed Sunnydale.::

"Well Sunnydale kinda imploded when the hellmouth was closed but life there was kinda complicated we had a new demon every week."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew stood by the door during the entire exchange of words. He was silent, only because he had decided to let the "big boys" handle the issues at hand now. Andrew looked at Nina and then to the kitchen in the background. His stomach began to grumble. Andrew raised his hand. ::

Nina: "Um ... you wouldn't happen to have, um, like food, would you? I've really been craving mini pizzas. Not that it has to be mini pizzas, I mean, we're guests, but ... we couldn't stop to eat on the way over here because Buffy said it was important or whatever ..."

:: Andrew shut up to hear a reply. ::

[Nina]

::Nina watched as Illyria moved towards the window::

"Ok well that cuts down on a bed."

::Then she watched in amusement, her brow furrowing a little as the other man, who had just arrived with Gunn, raised his hand as if asking a question in school. She smiled at him::

Andrew: "Yeah, of course, the kitchens in there..."

::She pointed in the direction of the kitchen::

Andrew: "I think there are actually mini pizzas in the freezer, my niece love's them."

::She looked around to the rest of the group::

"Everyone can just help themselves, just make yourselves at home."

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel came through to hear Andrew ask about food. He gave him one of those imposing, why the hell are you thinking about your stomach stares::

The Room: "Well, if anyone's willing to sleep in the car..."

::He stared at Andrew again. The boy really annoyed him::

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew didn't catch the searing glares that Angel was shooting towards him. Andrew was hungry. He didn't care if he got on the broody vampire's nerves. In fact, Andrew didn't even care about Angel much at all. The only reason he was doing this was because Buffy cared. And Andrew trusted Buffy. ::

Nina: "Thanks, you're a miracle."

:: Andrew quickly rushed to the kitchen to raid the freezer for any leftover mini pizzas. ::

[Connor]

:: Connor smiled at Dawn then looked to Angel::

"I'll sleep in the car..."

:: Connor stuck his hands in his pockets and leaned agianst the wall and concentrated on Dawn agian::

"Yeah thats how it seems to be here a new thing every week it keeps it interesting in the summers when theres nothing to do. Yeah i'm sorry about your home being destroyed.."

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn sat down in a chair, thinking.::

Nina: "About the murders. What exactly is happening? Strangling? Bloody Knife? What?"

::Gunn looked at Angel.::

Angel: "Havent you dealt with this before? That one time, before i knew you, with the doctor guy who could unattach body parts?"

[Another Apocalypse?]

Gunn: "Yeah, it has happened before. Not nice at all."

::He turned to Nina::

Nina: "Gunn's right, how are the people dieing this time?"

[Winifred Burkle]

There was a sort of scratching noise that came from one of the windows in the bedrooms. It could be heard throughout the house. It could have been a tree branch, but it wasn't really very windy outside and it was almost rhythmic somehow.

::Oz's slightly heightened hearing perked up and listened. It sounded like it came from Nina's bedroom, or there abouts. He couldn't quite figure out what was making the scratching other than it was clearly something scratching glass.::

[Nina]

"Well from what I've herd..."

::Nina stopped suddenly, a strange scratching noise was coming from the upstairs of the house, she looked a Oz, who had herd it as well. There heightened senses helped with that.

She spoke in a low whisper, moving closer to Angel::

"Do you guys here that?"

::She started moving slowly towards the stairs::

[Another Apocalypse?]

"Yeah, I hear it too. Remember, you aren't the only ones with a heightened sense of hearing you know."

::Angel reached inside of his jacket, and took out a knife. Always good to be prepared.::

"Gunn, Oz, come with me. Connor, Illyria and Nina stay down here, protect Andrew. Make sure he does nothing stupid."

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew emerged from the kitchen, licking his fingers from the mini pizzas. ::

Group: "Mmm ... You know, no offense to Buffy or anything, but the food they serve us in that compound ... well, let's just say that I'm not even sure it can be considered food. This one time me and Dawn were -"

:: Andrew noticed everyone being really quiet. ::

Group: "What's up?"

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn followed Angel and Oz up the stairs. He couldnt hear whatever it was, but if it had two werewolves and a vampire wigged, it must be something bad.::

Angel: "So what do you think it is?"

[Nina]

::Nina nodded at Angel, and watched him and the others go up the stairs. She moved towards the way Andrew had just come into the room, stopping as she passed him, and whispered::

Andrew: "There's something up there."

::She motioned towards the others to follow her into the kitchen, and went straight for the knives that were on the counter, she gave out one to each that had followed her into the kitchen::

"Should we follow them up? I have a few weapons in my room, Angel got me some. Or should we wait down here?"

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew looked at the flimsy kitchen knife Nina had just handed him and started to become nervous. He turned to Amy and Illyria. ::

Amy and Illyria: "Buffy didn't mention we would have to, like, fight things while we were here. I feel kind of ripped off ..."

:: Andrew went over to a cabinet and pulled out a frying skillet. ::

Group: "Okay, let's kill something."

[Another Apocalypse?]

Gunn: "I got majorly no idea at all. Whatever it is thought, we're gonna kill it, maim it or mortally wound it with no chance of recovery, right?"

::Angel advanced closer to the door of Nina's room, the apparent source of the sound. After quietly counting to five in his head he swung towards the door, and kicked it in, ready to face whatever was inside there.::

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

:: Amy felt neglected. She wanted to help, why else would she be here? But Angel had not even noticed her. She looked at the knife. She didn't know why she'd even need it; her magic was much stonger. She set it down on the counter also. ::

Group: "So, are we supposed to stay down here, or what?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn watched as everyone left the room no-one even mentioned her.::

Aloud:"Great don't worry about me it's not like I even exist right? No-one cares about the former eneregy ball. You know I can fight? I'm not stupid."

[Connor]

:: Connor smiled to Dawn and took her hand::

"Angel doesn't want me going either.. So dont feel bad, and i even have the strength to fight... but he still leaves me out"

:: He smiled agian when Dawn kinda wrinkled her nose with anger.::

"For the record i think you fight pretty good for an ex energy ball."

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn walked into the room after Angel kicked down the door. He was shocked to discover what was making the noise.::

Aloud: "Definately not expecting that."

::He couldnt even describe the thing if he wanted to. It was...::

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz followed upstairs and when Angel busted into the room and Oz followed inside he looked around. The sound had stopped about halfway up the stairs and he couldn't see anything unusual. He knew the sound wasn't an illusion though.::

There was scratching again, but this time coming from the kitchen, downstairs. Sounding much like the first, something scratching a window.

::Oz's head turned hearing the stratching coming from back downstairs, likly near the kitchen.::

"Okay, that's weird."

[Another Apocalypse?]

"Jeez Loueez, now what?"

::Angel could hear more scratching coming from downstairs, near the kitchen::

[Ok, that's weird]

::That's what Oz had said::

Oz: "More than weird. Wait a sec, aren't the others in the kitchen?"

::Quickly, Angel opened some of Nina's drawers, and came uopn some of the weapons he had given her. Tossing a sword each to Gunn and Oz, he said;::

Both: "Go downstairs, make sure they're alright, I'll take the scenic route"

::With that, he walked over to the window, praying it was parralell to the kitchen. It was, and he could see what it was that was making the noise. A disembodied hand.::

(Yay, here we go again...)

::Angel threw open the window, and as quietly as he could, climbed out, and into a tree near to the window. He began to climb down, advancing on the hand::

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew heard a sound from behind him and quickly turned around, frying pan in hand. ::

Group: "What the frilly heck was that?!"

[Nina]

::Nina whirled around suddenly, her hair flicking in front of her face so she had to brush it out of the way. Seconds ago the scratching coming from upstairs had stopped, Nina had been able to hear it with her heightened since of hearing, but suddenly it was coming from behind them.

Nina made her way, slowly towards the closest window, where the noise had been coming from. She looked at Andrew, her eyebrows raised::

"I'm gonna open the window, get ready."

::She looked around at the others, particularly to Illyria, knowing that if they were in Danger she would be their best chance at a fight.

She walked to the window, hand raising slowly towards the handle, the knife she had picked up earlier raided in the other hand. She snatched the handle and yanked the window open...::

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria unfolded her arms and walked closely with Nina to the window, and peered out at the severed hand scratching at the glass... she crinkled her blue nose at it..::

"....unusual."

::Illyria watched as angel jumped down and began fighting off the hand smirking as he done so... she'd never seen someone fight a disembodied hand before and she suprisingly found it quite amusing, but quickly straightened up as Nina reached for the window handle... ready for a fight.::

[Connor]

:: Connor stood in front of Dawn just incase whatever was making the sound came towards them he could protect her, even though she'd never admit to needing any help, Connor watched as his father fought with the hand and even let out a slight laugh at the fight.... Illyria still amazed him how she could just act on impulse with out a care in the world..::

"Ok now i know we've seen some wierd stuff and this isn't hard to believe but what happened to when you cut someones hand off it dies?"

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel was inching closer and closer to the hand, stretching out from his hiding place of the tree as far as possible, when he heard a creak. A rather dangerous sounding creak. Looking back, he saw that the branch he was on was starting to break.::

"Ah bull-"

::But before he could finish his sentence, the branch had snapped, he had tumbled to the ground, and the hand was onto him. He began wrestling with the thing to prise it from his neck, and it balled into a fist and punched him in the groin. Angel doubled over.::

"That's gonna leave a mark..."

[Nina]

::Nina jumped as Angel fell to the ground, from one of the top windows, and began to fight the single hand. She ran from the window to the back door, which opened onto where they were fighting. Just as she yanked the door open and ran out the hand punched Angel in the crotch.

A look of pain crossed Nina's face, but she ran forward quickly, knife gripped in her hand. She swung the knife at the hand, which was "Facing" Angel, she slashed across the back of the hand.

The Hand spun around and jumped at her chest fingers outstretched, and pushed her over, so she fell backwards on the ground, dropping the knife as she fell. Instinctively she covered her face with her arms expecting the hand to continue it's attack, but after a moment she sat up to see the hand, making it's way back to Angel. It jumped at his throat again and began to choke him...::

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel managed to pull himself back up, just in time to have the hand shoot at his throat, hitting him hard and knocking him to the ground. The hand began to choke him, but it was here that he had the advantage::

Hand: "Hey, guess what? Vampire, no need to breathe!"

Oh happy day, I'm talking to a disembodied hand!

::Angel quite easily stood up. While having the hand choke him hurt, it was no way near enough to kill him. As no breath passed his lips, there was none to cut off. He raised the short sword he had in his right hand, whilst grabbing and throwing the hand away with his left. As the hand flew from his neck, he stabbed at it with the sword, missing by inches. The hand launched another punch at Angel, but he rolled to the right and out of the way, and the hand, instead of conncecting with Angel's skull, hit the tree hard, with a dull thud. Before it could move again, Angel stood up and smacked it against the tree with a piston kick, trapping it between his boot and the tree. He held it there for a few seconds, then let go, and the hand fell limply to the floor. Angel turned to the house, and launched a grin. Behind him, the hand began to raise, and with what seemed to be amazing strength, lifted Angel by the back of his black duster, and threw him clean through the kitchen window. He landed hard on the floor, bleeding from several areas that had been cut by glass, and the hand floated sinisterly through the hole that had once been a window::

[The Evil Hand]

::Gliding through the air, the hand made it's way straight for Angel again. The Vampire had landed on the floor of the kitchen, with the rest of the group. The hand grabbed Angel by the t-shirt he was wearing and lifted him up, again, repelling him backwards, so he was thrown onto the table, which broke under the weight of the fall, the legs snapped and the table collapsed onto the floor.

The hand then turned it's attention to Illyria, moving at an incredible speed, it aimed low, and didn't stop until it connected with her ankle and continued to move until Illyria had tripped forward, then it doubled back, rising into the air. Before Illyria had even hit the floor the hand was at her back and pushed down hard, causing Illyria to smash into the floor, cracking the tiles of the kitchen around her.

Next it grabbed a knife from the drawer which was still open and hurled it at Dawn, aiming for the young woman’s stomach. At the same time the hand darted forward and grabbed Gunn around the throat, tightening it's grip, choking the life from him...::

[Nina]

::Nina watched as the Hand flung angel thought her kitchen window, horrified by it's strength. She jumped to her feet, and ran to the door she had come out of, just as the hand floated through the new hole in the side of her house.

She dashed through the kitchen, yelling::

"Keep it busy..."

:: Without looking back to see if the others had herd her, she continued out into the hall, and up the stairs, on her way up she herd a humongous crash, she stopped for a second before regaining her focus and sprinting up the rest of the steps, skipping every second one.

As she reached the landing she ran to her bed room, crashing open the door. She made straight for the bed and flung the duvet off the bed, then she grabbed the sheets, just as a second huge crashing noise came from downstairs, and yanked them off::

"A do it yourself net, Martha Stewart eat your heart out..."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn screamed and dropped to the floor as the knife came flying towards her . Quickly Dawn jumped up again and stood beside Connor. She didn't notice it but she she was clutching Connors hand.::

[Connor]

:: Connor was watching the battle waiting to jump in but finding the whole situation alittle funny... His enjoyment quickly turned to being angry when the hand tossed the knife at Dawn for a moment he had stopped breathing fearing that the knife cut her, as he looked down at his hand he smiled seeing her hand entwined in his...his cheeks began to become hot as he lifted her to her feet...::

"Just stay behind me ok.."

::Connor watched as she slipped in behind him his hand still laced with hers but making sure he guarded her as a sheild... watching the hand closer then ever now...trying to figure out how you beat a disembodied hand...::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria watched as Angel battled with the hand... she felt the strange want for laughter as it tossed him around the room...::

And he calls himself a champion of his kind. she thought to herself.

::She watched as Nina ran out of the room and The knife was thrown at the little winey one who seemed to be important to protect. She expecially was watching the other winey one which they called Andrew she knew he wasn't exactly a strong fighter. The hand suddenly turned toward Gunn... wrapping its fingers around his throat tightly cutting off his air supply she watched as he began to try and grasp for air while trying to throw the hand off of him... illyria quickly looked to her side and saw a spatchula and picked it up hurrying toward him she quickly began to smack the hand with it as hard as she could manage without hurting Gunn as well... ::

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel shook his head as he stood up shakily from the fragments of table left after the hand had thrown him there. Blood was still trickling down his face from several small cuts, and he believed one of the falls he had experienced had cracked one of his ribs. Not thinking of his injuries, he stood up, just in time to have a knife graze his shoulder by inches and snap into a wall. By the look of Dawn coming back up from the floor again, the hand had hurled it at her. It was now in the process of choking Gunn, whilst Illyria tried to fight it off with a spatula.::

If it wasn't for all of the trying to kill us,Angel thought, this would be bloody hilarious!

::His keen eyes noticed that Dawn and Connor's hands were together, and that Connor was protecting Dawn.::

That's nice. I just hope it doesn't turn out like me and-

::He cut his thoughts of again. Just thinking about Buffy hurt him terribly inside. Instead, he looked around for anything to use as a weapon. He spotted a steak knife on the ground. It would do in a pinch, and he picked it up.::

[The Evil Hand]

:: The hand, loosed it's grip on Gunn, as Illyria started whacking at it. It spun around and clenched it's fingers, and darted forward punching Illyria, hard, in the face.

Not waiting to get a reaction the hand flew straight for Angel, who had just picked up a knife. It latched onto Angel wrist, and pulled his arm downwards, swinging his own Knife at him, and sending it into his gut.

The Hand then jumped to the floor and made it's way to Andrew, jumping up at him, wrapping his face in it's strong fingers, and began to squeeze::

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel gasped as the knife sank into his stomach. He could tell that nothing vital had been pierced, though he didn't need most of his organs anyway. The knife was about halfway in, and blood started to soak through his black shirt, staining it a dirty copper colour. He sank to his knees, clutching the horribly bleeding wound. He tightened his grip around the handle of the knife, gritted his teeth, and wrenched the knife from his gut, tearing some flesh with it. Blood now poured freely from his stomach, and began to pool on the laminate flooring of Nina's kitchen. He stood and walked over to Andrew, blood still pouring, and his vision started to blur, though he could still see the hand clutching Andrew's face. He grabbed it with hands that were dripping with his own blood, and managed to prise it off, hurling it across the room, and crashing it through the glass doors of a kitchen cupbard, full of glasses. He then collapsed to the floor again.::

[Nina]

:: Nina ran back down the stairs, stopping half way down again as another loud crash came from the kitchen. She ran to the bottom of the stairs, the bed sheet flowing, as she rushed on, behind her.

She came to the kitchen and looked at the mess that had formally been her kitchen, looking around at everyone and the broken kitchen cupboard, and finally Angel, covered in blood and lying on the floor, she darted forward pushing through Dawn and Connor, separating the two a little::

"Guy's go for the hand, don't let it get away"

:: she yelled as she went past them. As she ran past Amy she dropped the bed sheet at her feet, and finally reaching Angel, she knelt down beside him. Placing her hand over the wound, applying pressure, within seconds Blood had covered her hands.::

Angel: "Angel!...

Angel are you alright?"

[Another Apocalypse?]

Oh...not so bloody hilarious now.

::Angel was slipping in and out of conciousness, and when he was concious, he could barely register what was going on around him. The floor was covered in a mix of glass, wood and blood, and all of the movement around him was making his head hurt. He managed to move his head and look at the extent of the injury, lifting his shirt to see a gaping hole in his chest. He rested his head on the ground again, blood from his forehead slipping over his eyes and hazing his vision with red. Then, the red turned to black again.

When he awoke, Nina was kneeling beside him, calling his name and applying pressure to the wound, if a little futiley. His eyes darted around, and he tried to sit up, but found he couldn't.::

Nina: "Naw, it's just....a scratch."

::It was a hell of a lot more, but the last thing he needed was Nina caught off guard trying to help him, and getting stabbed too. And unlike Angel, Nina might not last for long.::

Nina: "Go, help the others...I'll be fine..."

[Nina]

Angel: "Yeah cuz most scratchs bleed this much..."

:: Nina smiled at Angel, and grabbed his hand moving it to his wound::

Angel: "Keep the pressure here, Aren’t you supposed to have super healing. Does that kick in any time soon?"

:: She stood up, and spun back around to face the rest of the group ::

"Damn it guy's move faster, this thing is quick - and it's totally wrecking my sisters house!"

:: She moved back to wear her 'net' had fallen at Amy's and grabbed one end, and looked at Amy ::

"Amy...? was it? Grab the other end of the sheet, we're gonna catch it. Connor and Gunn you go at it, get it to come out."

:: She looked to the cupboard where it had disappeared into... ::

[Connor]

::Connor looked at Nina and then the cupboard, then back at Dawn he smiled at her and put his hand on her arm..::

"Stay here and out of the way...if it gets past this go upstairs..I dont think your sister would be happy with my dad if anything happened to you."

::He smiled agian and then looked to Gunn slowly moving toward the Cupboard it was hiding in.::

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

Nina: Got it.

::Amy was glad to be included, as she lifted one end of the 'net', but she couldn't help regretting the fact that she had such a lame job. While some of these guys were pretty damn powerful, she'd bet she had enough power to take almost every one of them with one hand behind her back. Maybe some of them just didn't know how powerful she was, being that they didn't know her, but wasn't that all the more reason to show them? And how could she do that with such a lame job? She didn't want to play a game of run-and-catch; she wanted to work some major magic.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn rolled her eyes before kissing Connor on the cheek a little embarassed. Letting go of his hand she watched as he edged towards the cupboard.::

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel kept his hand held over the wound, blood still pooling under his hand, but thanks to his heightened metabolism and healing and such, he could feel the blood beginning to clot. In five minutes, the bleeding would have stopped. The wound would still be there for a couple of days, and a scar may appear, but that was unavoidable. He staggered up to his feet again as he caught sight of Dawn kissing Connor, He smiled, albeit weakly, then proceeded to stand again. He ripped a long line of fabric from the bottom of his shirt, then tied it tight around the wound. The blood was still coming through, but that was bound to stop soon.::

To himself: "Good as new!"

[Nina]

::Nina watched as Gunn nodded at Connor and moved with him towards the cupboard, he looked inside, through the broken glass, but didn't seem to see anything, he took hold of the handle on the cupboard and indicated at Connor to grab the other one::

Gunn to Connor: "On the count of Three?"

::Nina gripped the self-made net in her hand, raising it a little higher, she glanced over at Amy and nodded, before quickly turning her attention back to the others::

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

::As Amy stared at the cupboard, Connor and Gunn ready and poised to open it, she became more and more unsure that Nina's plan would work...and she knew for sure her plan would. What if the hand moved too fast? Or if it managed to grab the "net" and take it away? If she used her magic they'd get the hand for sure! Maybe she could even destroy it! After counting to three, Connor and Gunn swung the cabinet open, and the hand shot out like a bullet. Before it had time to find a target, Amy dropped her end of the net and readily summoned the power inside of her. Then, casually, she jerked her hand up. The hand flew to the ceiling as if pulled by an unseen force and hit it with a resounding "thwack". However, the hand simply drifted back down again, twitching with a vengeance.::

Time to try something bigger.

Hand: "Incurso!"

::A stream of green energy shot out of her mouth heading straight for the hand. But, instead of slamming it against the wall, the hand (combined with the power of the energy) smashed right through it. Amy watched as it dissapeared, leaving nothing but a big gaping hole in the wall.::

[The Evil Hand]

:: As the doors swung open from the Cupboard, The Hand shot forward, but was suddenly being pulled upwards, it hit the roof, hard. Then dropped back to the floor again, and moved towards Amy.

Next it was hit by powerful green energy, and was thrown from the house. It landed outside, limp on the grass, it flexed it's fingers and rose, but fell back down again. The wound on the back of it had healed now leaving only a slight scar, but it was burnt badly on it's palm where the witch's spell had hit it.

It rose onto it's fingers and made it's way away from the house, disappearing under the cover of darkness ::

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel watched in dismay as the hand floated out of the gaping hole in the wall. Tearing after it as fast as his beaten body would go, he reached the hole where it had dissapeared, only to find it already lost in the night. He turned, his face a picture of anger, and the blood only accentuating the look of rage.::

Amy: "Dammit Amy! Why didn't you just stick to the freakin' plan! If we'd have simply caught it in the net, it would probably be dead by now, but NO, you had to show off with the magic and let it get away! I bet that it's killing another person right now! Dammit!"

::He turned again and cast his eyes outside, hoping it was simply hiding, but it was no where to be found. He swore, then walked back into the kitchen.::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked at angel and the witch, although he hardley thought they're plan would work and she did have to give amy some credit for doing as she pleased... Illyria walked over to amy and smiled then walked to the small couch that was in the living room. and sat down::

"this is going to be fun..."

::Illyria watched the others in the other room thinking of what to do next was her best guess...::

[Connor]

::Connor watched as amy changed plans and watched her do her magic thing which was kinda cool to watch... but he stood in awe and confusion on how fast the hand got away... not to mention all the words Angel was throwing at her made him feel alittle sorry for the girl. He gave her a quick smile and then made his way over to Dawn to check up on her.::

"Are you ok? need to sit down or anything?"

[Nina]

:: Nina felt the other end of the net drop, just as the hand shot out at them. She watched as Amy 'took the lead' in fighting the hand - and failed. She stood and watched the hand fly through the wall and disappear.

Nina glared at Amy as the others gave out to her, and forcibly dropped the bed sheet that was still clutched in her hands. She rolled her eyes and turned to sit down at her table, before realising that the table was now only a few inches off the floor as it had collapsed earlier.

She crossed her arms and turned back to face the others, surveying the damage that had been done to her sister's house. I'm so dead... ::

"There's no point in wasting time, giving out to people..."

:: She looked at Amy, anger boiling, but she forced it down ::

"... What do we do now?"

:: She looked at angel ::

"Wolfram and Hart must have an easy way to track this thing - And on that, how can a hand just move around by itself, it was pretty strong considering it had no muscles?!"

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

Well, that was sure a bust.

::Amy stared at the empty hole in the wall. Angel seemed very angry. On the one hand, she didn't think it was fair! She was pretty sure that everyone in this gang had probably made huger mistakes than letting some stupid living hand get away, but it seemed they were still forgiven! Nina's plan was lame and might not have worked! As far a the hole in the wall...well, that was pretty bad, but most everything else in the room had already been destroyed, and it wasn't like it was her wall! On the other hand, a small part of her had hoped that if they'd seen how much power she had, and she'd been able to help them, they might have accepted her...and that would've been kind of nice. Plus, there was also a part of her that was angry at herself for failing like that. Nina looked pretty angry at her too, but she was grateful for the fact that she seemed to be trying to move on past it, and the heat was moving off of her as she tried to sort out this mess. She did know one thing: she did not regret what she'd chosen to do, only that it turned out the way it did.::

[Another Apocalypse?]

Nina: "Yeah, Wolfram and Hart would have away. Except there's not much of Wolfram and Hart left now."

::Angel slightly regretted his harsh words against Amy. He hadn't meant to offend the girl in any way, but he was angry because of the fact that more deaths may have been caused because of her show-offishness. Suddenly, however, something hit him.::

The Room: "Hold on...what's this then?"

::He knelt down to the floor and took a large sniff. The blood he could smell was a bit of a mix. It was a lot of his, a familiar smell, cold. There was a sniff of Nina's in the air, also a familiar smell tinged with an unfamiliar scent, perhaps something to do with her being a werewolf. And he smelt something else, something he had smelt before. It was odd, smelt otherworldy. There was only one person it could be.::

Himself: "Lindsey..."

::He looked up.::

The Room: "I know who it is. It's Lindsey. He's an old friend of mine. An old, dead friend of mine. Except he stayed dead. He worked for Wolfram and Hart. He used to have an artificial arm, till I crushed it, so he got a mystical hand transplant from Wolfram and Hart. Very bad idea in my opinion. Anyway, the hand that he gets landed with, starts killing. It seems its started up the old business."

::He cast his gaze around the room, formulating a plan in his head. Finally, he spoke again.::

The Room: "Right, here's a suggestion. Amy, could you do a locator spell to find the hand please? And I'm sorry for blowing up at you earlier. The rest of you can stay in case the hand comes back. Connor, you could probably track the hand, it's still bleeding, what do you say we try and track it?"

[Connor]

::Connor who had kinda been preoccupied with Dawn and her safety he barely heard Angel speak to him, quickly he turned his head toward his father and gave a confused look.::

"huh?"

::he straightened up as Angel gave him that look that he gives when he's alittle annoyed and Connor smiled a bit.::

"...ohh yeah track it yeah thats good...we should definatly get right to that."

::Connor turned back to Dawn and smiled then sighed and quickly planted a kiss on her soft cheek... he blushed a bit then turned and walked over beside angel who was giving him a differnet look this time... the look a father gives a son when they find out their boy has an "infatuation" with a girl. This made Connor smile a bit wider and made his cheeks kinda grow warm.::

"whenever your ready?"

[Another Apocalypse?]

Connor: "Yeah, sure thing. Let's go."

::He started to walk through the hole on the wall. Saved time than going through the door!::

The Room: "I have my phone. Call me if anything comes up. Come on Connor, we'd better get going. There's only a few more hours till sunrise."

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria kinda stood there bored with things she looked around the room for something to do she guessed she could help clean but what was the use.::

"...and i thought this trip would be boring and only to pick up the stray ones."

::She looked to Andrew and Amy who she had come with and then over to the others.::

[Connor]

::Connor gave a final smile to everyone in the room as he climbed out the house through the hole in the wall following angel.::

"You know that should be fixed fast because normal houses dont have huge holes in them....so killer hand huh thats new."

::Connors words were barely a wisper to the human ear but knew Angel would hear him, Connor's eyes adjusted to the darkness and he quickly picked up the hint of blood and quite a bit of it.::

"ok so detached killer hand thats even better."

[Another Apocalypse?]

Connor: "Yeah, well. It has happened before. I suppose that in LA that kind of thing's old now. Common. I've been out of the loop too long. But not long enough to be shocked by any of this stuff."

::Angel's eyes also adjusted, and the night exploded into a vast spread of colours. Looking to the pavement, Angel could see a trail of blood, first erratic, as if it had been injured, then staight and purposeful. Like it was headed somewhere.::

Connor: "So...how bout you and Dawnie? Good for you!"

::Angel smiled.::

[Connor]

::Connor's cheeks turned a bit red as Angel asked him about Dawn and he shrugged::

"What about me and Dawn... I'm just trying to protect her is all i mean she is a pretty decent fighter which i'm guessing comes from being the little sister of "the slayer" but i just dont wanna see her get hurt and her big sister come after you because of it is all..."

::Connor thought a moment... was he trying to convince Angel this was his reason or himself... he liked her she was smart and funny and interesting way more interesting then normal girls his age.. maybe it was because they both knew that there was more out there at night then just bullies who robbed women walking in dark allyways.::

"...she's a great girl...and we have stuff in common... "

:: as they walked connor kept thinking of why he was so protective of Dawn... i mean he couldnt really like her she' was his dads ex girlfriends daughter, it would be too weird...wouldn't it?::

[Another Apocalypse?]

::Angel felt slightky awkward talking about this. He wasn't very experienced in the whole father-son thing, and sharing his experience with another certain Summers girl wouldn't help for crap.::

Connor: "Yeah. I'm just happy for you, is all. Come on, we better concentrate.

[Nina]

["Yeah, Wolfram and Hart would have away. Except there's not much of Wolfram and Hart left now."]

:: Nina frowed,Wolfram and Hart was gone?, She hadn't been given the full story on the events since she left town with her family, merely the cliff notes. Running her hand through her hair she watched Angel and Connor leave through her new "door", She looked around at the others in the room, Illyria, Oz, Gunn, Dawn, Andrew and Amy, she looked around at her rubble, and sighed.

Shaking the thoughts of how she was going to explain this mess to her sister, she looked at Amy ::

"A locator spell..."

:: Then in a derogatory, almost mocking tone::

"Do you think you could pull that off?"

:: She knew they had to move on but she was still mad at her for trying to show off earlier, and she wanted her to know it, even though the giant hole would make for a nice constant reminder.

She turned to Dawn::

"Maybe you could help her, you haven't been helping much with everything else tonight.."

:: She realised what she said was unnescerly mean, but she was mad, mad that she hadn't been given the full story, Mad that Angel hadn't called her back to LA when the fight was over, Mad that her house now featured a side door, mad at the person who made it and mad that Angel had just left with only Connor, they shouldn't be splitting up now, and she had clearly shown she could handle one of these supernatural crisis they always got into - she was able to track blood, one of the lovely side effects of being a werewolf 3 nights a month, yet she hadn't been asked to go with them.

She walked away from the others over to the sink, and placed both arms either side of it. Then she shut her eyes, breathing slowly....

I should probably apologise... ::

[Wanabee-slayer]

: DAwn shot Nina an angry look. She hated this girl. She was ugly and b*tchy and she was stealing Buffy's boyfriend ok maybe not her boyfriend but there was something therre she saw the way they looked at each other.::

Nina:"Sure I can help I mean I wouldn't want to be useless now. "

:: Dawn turned to face Amy.::

Amy:"Are we gonna need any ingredients?"

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

::She was beginning not to like Nina. She seemed rude, to her especially. Okay, so she had just blown a hole in the wall, but even Angel, who had been yelling a lot at first, seemed much calmer about it before taking off. And she was rude to Dawn as well.::

Dawn: "No, just a map. Maybe Nina has one and can go get it."

::Then she added, in Nina's same mocking tone,::

Nina: "Do you think you can pull that off?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn grinned. Okay so she knew making fun of Nina probably wasn't the best thing to do at this very moment. But Nina had really made her angry! And she probably deserved it. Dawn hadn't always been friends with Amy but at the moment she was starting to like her more. Dawn decided to join in on the fun::

Nina:"Yeah that would be really helpful."

:: Dawn listenened to herself. Okay so that was meaner then it should have been. Dawn took a breath as she tried to regain her composure. Come on DAwn this is sooo not you. Be nice she may be a cow but she's all we've got.::

[Nina]

:: Anger boiled in the pit of Nina’s stomach, as the two women spoke to her. She raised her head, opening her eyes as she did, and looked out through the broken window the hand had crashed through earlier.

Crap I shouldn't have started this..., She moved her hands off the sink and turned back around to the women, finding herself even more annoyed that Dawn was grinning. she looked at Gunn ::

Gunn: "There should be a map in the dresser in the hall, could you grab it please?"

:: Gunn Nodded to her without saying anything and left the room. She turned back to face Amy, and took a step towards her ::

Amy: "Look, my comment was fair, last spell I seen you cast, caused this.."

:: She walked over to the hole in the wall and indicated at it, much like a presenter on a game show would a prize ::

"...So excuse me if I don't have full confidence in your 'powers'"

:: She then turned to face Dawn ::

"And if you wanna hide behind..."

:: She stopped as Gunn came back into the room, waving the map of LA in his hand. He handed it to Nina. She shook her head, looking at Dawn and Amy, this was really unnecessary ::

Amy and Dawn: "Ok, I'm sorry what I said was kinda out of line. I get you were trying to help, It's just I don't want the house to be an even bigger pile of rubble before the night is up. So just forget what I said..."

:: She opened the map out fully and lay it on the floor of the kitchen, and went to stand beside Illyria ::

Amy: "Ok go ahead"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn looked back at Nina and tried to be sympathetic towards her. She wasn't so sure it was convincing but it was the best she could do. She could still hear it in the tone of Nina's voice that whatever was making her angry still was. And what Nina thought Dawn enjoyed being forced to stand back watch? It wasn't her she knew that and hopefully everyone else did too. "And if you wanna hide behind" what was that supposed to mean? Dawn couldn't help but laugh in her head she kinew Nina was referring to Buffy so what? She didn't care what this woman thought. Besides Angel loves Buffy and if Nina can't see it now she certainly would soon. Deciding to move on from the recent argument Dawn turned to Amy.::

Amy:"So what can I do? "

[Connor]

::Connor looked to angel and then to the ground::

"This thing still has alot of life in it for it to be wounded and disembodied..and it moves fast"

:: he sighed silently bored with this tracking thing... when he first found out about it... it was well awesome now that he used it alot it just bored him.::

"So do you think Dawn's sister is gonna like having Nina around? I mean i can even feel the tension between you and the slayer."

[Another Apocalypse?]

Connor: "Technically, a lot of unlife in it. A mystical source. That explains the strength of the thing. Like a vampire, the thing heals quickly. But we need to hurry now. Who knows what it might do."

::Angel continued to smell praying that the blood on him, and the blood of the hand, wouldn't mingle with another, unknown person's blood.::

["So do you think Dawn's sister is gonna like having Nina around? I mean i can even feel the tension between you and the slayer."]

Connor: "You can say her name you know. And besides, you know well enough, we've gotten over it. It hurts me everytime I see her, because it will all end in just another goodbye. But I learned to repress it. There won't be tension, as I believe Buffy knows how to do it too. And besides, she's got Spike."

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

"Dawn: Nothing for now, but once I find it, you can help us go get it."

::She was kind of starting to like Dawn; maybe they could acutally get along. She felt bad that Nina kept taking a jab at her; it wasn't like she even had anything to do with the hole in the wall. She didn't like Nina very much at all, even if she did apologize. She put her feelings aside and squatted, to be closer to the map on the floor. Not needing to concentrate that much (for her, it was a simple spell) she held her hands out over the map and chanted some choice words. A small, yellow light suddenly sprung forth from the map. Amy watched as it floated around over it, slowly settling itself over part of it. She leaned over and squinted to see where it was.::

Group: "The address is 1127 Spring Street. It looks a a big complex, or offices, of some sort."

[sk8rj04]

::Gunn couldnt believe it. He had heard it right. 1127 Spring Street. But one thing Gunn has learned while helping Angel was dealing with the mystical, there are no coincidences.::

Amy: "That address...that's where Wolfram & Hart used to be...before becoming a pile of rocks that is."

[Connor]

:: Connor shrugged and rolled his eyes a bit::

"Well i dont know if you notice it but i think everyone else does there is some major tension between you too.... and then add in the spike factor and its hard to even be in the same room it just feels like you sufficating.."

::He didnt know if it was just him but it seemed like the sent was fading slowly with each step... maybe the hand was healing or his mind was busy being else were but the streets also were beginning to look really fimilar.::

"Do you recognize where we are?"

[Nina]

Nina recognised the address the moment Amy had said it, It took a moment to settle in. It wasn't that big of a deal but there was just something about the fact that it was hiding out in, the former, Wolfram and Hart that was creepy.

Without saying a word Nina ran back upstairs to her room, opened the cupboard were she had been keeping a few weapons, she was no mystical warrior or Champion, but ever since she discovered the world that goes bump in the night, she knew her family wasn't protected as well as they should be, and Angel had insisted that she protect her home better - which for most people meant an alarm system, but for Angel; Stakes, knives, Swords and a mace, some of the weapons had been taken earlier, she grabbed the mace, two swords and a knife and returned to the kitchen.

She walked back into the others, who were all still looking at the little glowing point on the map. She handed a sword to Gunn and Dawn, gave the knife to Amy. And kept the mace for herself. She turned to Illyria.

"I'm not sure if you need, or want, weapons but you can just use some of the kitchen equipment threes some knives - well on the floor..."

Oz bent down and picked up one of the bigger knives, and looked back at the others. While Nina spoke to the group.

"We're going to Angel, we can't leave him to fight this thing on his own. Amy you drove up here, you take Dawn and Gunn he'll show you were Wolfram and Hart is, I'll take Illyria and Oz with me in my car"

She walked straight out of the room and grabbed her keys off the chest of drawers in the hall, before opening the front door and motioning for them all to follow.

[The Evil Hand]

The Hand made it's way across the ground, reaching the former offices of Wolfram and hart. It slipped under the 'condemned' tape which now surrounded the building. The police had been baffled by it, and came to the conclusion that there must have been a very confined earth quake which had destroyed the offices.

The building was on the verge of collapsing, The interior was barely recognisable and the fancy furnishings had been toppled over and destroyed. All the windows were smashed, The elevator cables were snapped, the stairs were covered in rubble and some of floors had giant holes going straight through to the ones below.

What baffled the police further was that some of the workers had turned up the next day ready for work, claiming that it was not the first time the building had been destroyed and rebuilt.

As the hand crossed the entrance to the building, it stopped and closed it's fingers over it's palms, over the burn marks, that had been dripping blood, then opened them again moments later, revealing the burned skin had returned to normal, and was no longer bleeding. Making the hand un-trackable. It darted forwards moving at an incredible speed, moving over the rubble with ease and grace and flew up the stairs...

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

Good; Nina and I will be in seperate cars. That ought to keep any new arguments at bay.

::Amy was also glad she'd get to be in the car with Dawn. Maybe she could get to know her a bit better. She glanced at the knife, turning it over and over in her hand, as the light glinted off the metal surface. She didn't feel she needed it with all the ammo she had from her magic, but it was worth holding onto anyway.::

You never know what you might need.

::However, as she prepared to head out the door with the others, one thing still confused her.::

Group: "What exactly is the deal with this Wolfram and Hart place?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn felt the cool touch of steel in her hand and it was sort of comforting. Okay so Dawn hadn't exactly mastered sword fighting yet but she did know how to handle one. Dawn grinned as Nina told her to go with Amy. Thank god for that. If I had to go with Nina I would have gone insane. DAwn followed Amy out to the car also thinking about who or what Wolfram and Hart were and what she ws about to face. On the plus side she'd be with Amy and maybe she could get to know the witch a little better I mean after all Amy was friends with Andrew so they had at least one thing in common.::

[Nina]

["What exactly is the deal with this Wolfram and Hart place?"]

Amy: "Evil - Not so evil Law firm"

Nina waved her hands at everyone and moved them through the door, she walked out after then not bothering to lock it, There's a hole in the side of the house, She reached her car and opened the door for Illyria, Andrew and Oz to get in. And looked at the others.

"Gunn can fully explain... And guys get there fast!"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn had aprtly known about who or what Wolfram and Hart did after all that was the reason why Buffy had gone all wiggy towards her ex-flame. Buffy would have probably killed her if she found out that Dawn was going there. Dawn grinned at the very thought. Ok maybe making Buffy angry isn't always the best idea but it's what she did. Besides Buffy got to be all rebellious I just want a little fun. Dawn shrugged the image of Buffy's angry face out of her mind and followed Amy and Gunn to the car. Dawn gave Andrew one last wave before sliding in. You've got to feel sorry for the guy being stuck in a car with her.::

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

::Amy slid into the driver's seat and watched as Gunn and Dawn got in the car too. No one had exactly answered her question yet, but Nina had said Gunn would explain a bit more on the way. Also, she needed him to give her the directions. She turned to face him.::

Gunn: "So, you gonna tell me what's with the evil-not-so-evil law firm now? Why is it getting everyone so worried?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn moved forward in her chair to hear what Gunn had to say. Buffy had heard many stories from Buffy but wasn't sure which parts were true. It could be the jealous ex talking or it could have been concerned friend, either way Dawn had to find out more.::

[Connor]

:: Connor sighed as they stood outside the abandoned wolfram and hart building... it looked nothing like it had a few months ago it was still demolished it looked dark and dank... not to mention evil...the trail of blood was extremely faint to him but it seemed to lead straight into what was left of the once grand lawfirm.::

"I guess you really can never get away from this place..."

:: Connor kinda smiled to his comment and looked to angel.::

"So i guess we go in?"

[Another Apocalypse?]

Connor: "Well, if it is in here, is there really anything else we can do?"

::Angel began to move quietly towards the ruins.::

Connor: "You ready?"

[Nina]

Nina watched as the others got into Amy's car, Gunn in the front and Dawn in the back. She could see Gunn talking as their car took off, he was giving the full description of Wolfram and Hart to the two young women, all the in's and outs of their evil dealings and what the group had hoped to accomplish by taking over Wolfram and Hart a year ago.

Nina had herd the story from each of them in bit's and pieces, and was glad to not be hearing it again. She hopped into the drivers seat of her car, Illyria and Oz had gotten into the back, as Andrew, who was now playing with buttons around her radio making her slap his hand away, had called shotgun as he neared the car.

Nina fastened her belt and drove off heading to wolfram and hart.

"Anyone any ideas on how to stop a disembodied hand...?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn sat in the back seat looking absent mindedly out the window looking at the houses and cars they drove by. She actually recognised some of them from when she had been little. Buffy and her used to take walks with Buffy's friends while they all tried to ditch her. It was weird seeing the city after so long but also kind of gratifying. The Summer's women moved to Sunnydale and that was really where Dawn's life began. Bored, Dawn turned to Amy.::

Amy:"Hey do you think we're close?"

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

Dawn: "I don't actually know"

::Amy knew what direction they were going in, because Gunn was guiding her, but she didn't know how far away it was. It did seem to be taking an awful long time though. She sighed with boredom. She couldn't even do any magic because she had to pay attention to driving. Maybe she could try to get to know Dawn better, but she didn't know what to ask her.::

Dawn: "So...you wanna listen to the radio or something?"

[Connor]

:: Connor followed Angel into the ruins of the once grand building... Keeping his eyes open as they tumbled over What used to be the ceiling, crushed desks, and other large objects that couldn't be identified due to being dark and the objects being crushed from the cave in.::

"You do know the story of the needle in the haystack right?"

:: Connor kinda sighed a bit and turned as he thought he heard a noise instead it was just a peice of broken glass that crushed beneith his feet.::

" I just have a feeling this is going to be kinda like that story only called "Disembodied hand in the ruins." Maybe we should split up? Cover more ground."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn smiled at Amy's attempt to strike up conversation and decdied it was only fair to play along.::

Amy:"Sure."

:: Leaning forward in her seat Dawn's hand twisted the know of the radio trying to tune into something good. She listened to the snippets rock no, classical? as if. Suddenly she tuned into a countdown of the top 10 soings and she sat back relaxing. This time she tried to start the conversation.::

Amy:"You went to school with Buffy right?"

[Another Apocalypse?]

Connor: "Yeah, OK. I'll head this way."

::Angel began to walk through the ruined complex, casting his gaze about the place, looking and smelling for any tell-tale signs of a disembodied hand.::

"Here handy handy handy...."

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

Dawn: "Yeah. Missed the last part of senior year though, what with the being a rat and all. I heard Buffy and gang blew the school up. Pretty big thing".

::She rapped her fingers up and down on the steering wheel, impatient as the car ahead of her was inching ever so slowly. She considered doing something about it, but it turned the next corner, so she did nothing.::

Dawn: "So, are you going to school still, or are you busy helping with the whole 'save the world' thing?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn smiled at Amy's comments. As much as Dawn wished she wasn't made to study she knew she was.::

Amy:"Well I study a lot, like have any other choice. But I like to help with the save the world stuff too! Plus I think Giles is trying to make me watcher next generation."

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

Hey, she smiled.

::Amy smiled back, taking Dawn's smile to mean that this was a budding friendship. It was strange that Willow, a powerful witch like she was, was more complicated to be friends with than Dawn, a girl who was younger than her and who she had less in common with.::

Dawn: "That's cool...or not. I've never actually been a watcher before, obviously. I'm not exactly the expert on what that would be like".

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Dawn grinned thinking for a while. She didn't exactly know what being a watcher was like either. I mean it's not like she was one. She just helped Giles alot with the research. She liked to be involved instead of having to watch from the sidelines.::

Amy:"It's ok sometimes. I like to help even though buffy doesn't always want me to."

[Spirit_Of_Fred]

Dawn: "Well, in my opinion, you have every right to help if you want to. I guess she's just being your big sister though; it's her job to act that way. Again, I don't know personally, but one can assume".

::Amy wondered what it would be like to have a big sister. Probably a pain, but it might be nice to always have someone looking out for you...not that she needed it personally or anything, but it might be nice. She took in a deep breath, let it out slowly, and glanced at the L.A. scene as she continued to drive. It was taking a while to get to Wolfram and Hart.::

[Nina]

Amy Pulled up outside the former offices of Wolfram and Hart, She turned off the engine and got out slowly, struck by the destruction of the offices. Cracks covered the walls, and all the windows were smashed, bit's of office furniture was everywhere, the building looked like it would fall over under the slightest bit of wind.

She looked around at the others who were getting out of the car.

"Should we go in or wait for the others, presuming they didn't stop off for Ice Creme they should be here any minuet..."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: DAwn looked out the window still a little bored and somewhat angry at the way Nina had treated everyone back at the house. Dawn changed her thoughts to Amy. The way Buffy made her sound back in Sunnydale was nowhere near the person who sat before her. Dawn couldn't help but winder what Buffy would do if she discovered Dawn had become friends with this girl. She smiled just the faintest bit.::

Amy:"So I guess we'll be seeing a lot more of each other huh?"

[Angels baby101]

:: Illyria looked at the building with disgust... this place held memories that she'd like to forget. The Memory of them extracting power from her, the memory of it becomming her prision, and of course Wesley. The human had cared for her deeply... her shell anyways, and though it disgusted her on the outside deep down she couldn't explain but she felt something for him. Illyria came back to reality as Nina spoke.::

"waiting only takes time."

[Nina]

Nina found it oddly funny being in her current predicament. She was standing in front of the destroyed Wolfram and Hart building with a weird group of people, Oz and Illyria were very similar they didn't speak allot and when they did they were direct and too the point, and on the other hand there was Andrew, who didn't seem to stop talking in the car. Telling them of how height up in the ranks of the watchers council he was, or explaining one of the various mission he had been sent on.

[waiting only takes time.]

"Very true"

Nina smiled at Illyria, then turned back to the car and grabbed the sword she brought with her, the others did the same.

She turned to face the building, and then walked in. She stood at the doorway, wondering if Angel was inside.

"Angel....?"

She called through hole where the doors should have been...