"You're dead! You're a dead man, Pryce! You're dead! I'll kill you! I'll kill you! You're a dead man! Dead! Dead!"

Cold water rushed out of the faucet, pouring down into the sink rapidly. Shortly after, the sound of a knob being turned, the water warming up significantly. A brief moment before a hand interrupts the continuous flow, slipping itself underneath its constant rush. Soon enough, another hand joining the first, rubbing themselves together under the water. The hands then reaching up, quickly washing a face before finally turning off the water. A mirror directly above the sink revealing the exhausted face of Wesley Whyndam-Pryce.

For a long moment, he stared back at his reflection, drops of water falling off of his chin. Drying his face with the towel on the nearby rack, he let out a sigh. A few seconds passed before he spoke, breaking the silence. "I'm going out for the day. Feel free to…" he began before letting his sentence drift off for a moment, staring deeply into his own reflection, "…to make yourself at home"
With that said he quickly looked away from the mirror, from his unshaven face and messy hair. Quickly, the door to the bathroom was flung open, Lilah Morgan wrapped up in dark blue bed sheets there to face him. "Well that's no fun unless you're here," she said with a smile.
Wesley nodded, "You'll manage"
Lilah shook her head, placing a hand on his chest to stop him from walking past her. "No, no - you know what today is. Don't play dumb"
Looking down to the floor, Wesley sighed. "Just going to take a short walk…"
Still smiling Lilah let her hand fall to her side, the other hand still holding up the bed sheet. "Alright. Don't be late though…" she began, coming up closer to him, whispering into his ear, "You so don't want to miss out on the fun. After all, your going to throw the party"
Wesley walked past her, Lilah's smile still on her face.

***** ***** ***** *

Lindsey McDonald typed rapidly on his laptop, dressed in a black sweater and dark blue jeans. His eyes studied the screen, looking to be very occupied with what he was doing. Soon enough, the swift typing wasn't the only sound to be found in the Hyperion's main lobby. Footsteps echoed out now.
These sudden footsteps led Lindsey's eyes off the laptop, staring at Angel who wore a black dress shirt and black pants. Rubbing his left eye briefly, he sighed. "What have we got?"
Lindsey stared back at the computer for a second then back to Angel. "Not much really. They got a few things going on. The calling of a demon assassin from Australia, psychic aid recruitment, covering up for a demon who slaughtered a group of people two months ago when they stumbled upon it's nest…."
Angel nodded, letting his eyes drift off of Lindsey, obviously not interested. "None of that matters. In case you forgot, were tracking down things related to me. The whole I'm going to turn evil soon subject?"
"It's not that easy" Lindsey replied, "…and anyways I thought if I named off a few problems you'd go and do your thing. Save people or whatever. Keep yourself busy"
Angel shook his head, backing away from the desk. "No. You tell me everything about Wolfram & Hart and this chemical that can turn me evil. I stop it from happening. If I'm lucky I get to bring down a good part of Wolfram & Hart along the way. You go away and everyone's happy"
Lindsey smirked before looking back at the laptop, "Yeah. Whatever…"

One more situation Angel, one more, he thought to himself. He knew once he finished this it would be the last chain that bound him to this life. He would break it and he would be free. No more acting out his role in his fantasy world. No more pretending to think that he actually belonged in the world. That he actually had a destiny to save many, to be a valuable figure in the big battle. That he actually was supposed to have friends, to feel love, to desire, to want. He was just grasping things that he wasn't allowed to touch. He was playing a role, acting, living as someone else. He wasn't Angel, the vampire with a soul destined to fight the good fight. He was no one; he was a speck in an endless dark void. Soon enough, he would return to the darkness, return to his true destiny…the suffering…under the surface…in confinement…forever.

A sudden memory.…

"Some day you'll learn the truth---and you'll hate yourself. Don't. It's not your fault. I don't blame you."

. . .

He didn't blame him; he should be thanking him actually. He knew that if it weren't for Connor, he wouldn't know what he knows. That he's nothing, that everything he's built, everything he's become has been a attempt to escape the truth. The truth that his real destiny is with the darkness, to suffer. Forever. … "Connor?! Connor, never forget that I'm your father and that I love you."…Love him. That desire, that thriving desire to run out and find him and see him. Just to see the son he loved so much…just to talk to him…to have a chance to…
No! No more, forget it. He's all part of it Angel, all part of the world your not supposed to be in, the life your not meant to live. Let it go, let it all go…Connor's gone, let it go. Cordelia's gone, let it go. Let go of everything, your friends, Gunn and Fred. Your memories, that which ties you to this world. Just let it go, you know you don't belong here …you know…

Staring back at Lindsey, Angel spoke. "…I need a drink"
Lindsey quickly looked up at Angel. "No. They could have put it in your blood. They could have placed it pretty much anywhere. You have to be aware and very careful until I got the details. No drinking, just…control yourself. Oh and since your so thirsty if you decide to get too close to me, I'll kill you. That'll take care of the thirst pretty fast…"
Amused, Angel smirked and turned, walking towards the stairs once again …

***** ***** *****

Meanwhile, Wesley sat in Linwood's office, in a suit, staring back at his smiling face. "I really need to congratulate Lilah on this one. She's screwed up countless times in the past but this time she's really shined. She got a genius such as yourself to work for us, I must say - it's a honor Wesley."

"Enough. You know what you want; I'm merely a tool. Along with every other employee walking outside this room" Wesley responded.

Linwood, nodded, smirking at Wesley's statement. "You know, your right. They are all tools. Hell, so am I! That's not a bad thing. Just think, we're all here together to pump the power into the beautiful machine that is Wolfram & Hart. Hell, if it weren't for us tools Wolfram & Hart wouldn't be in the great position it's in. So, hell yes, we're tools and proud of it!"

Wesley's expression did not change, one of exhaustion. "You don't mind that you're just a another figure, one of many, working together for something far greater and evil than any of us combined?"

Linwood frowned, getting up and leaning in close to Wesley. "Now you make it seem like what we do isn't important. We're all important, especially you. Because today you're going to do what we've been trying to do for years. You're going to go the extra mile!"

Wesley nodded.

Linwood kept smiling as he responded, "Just be patient. It'll happen soon enough, if things go according to plan, which I assume they will. We'll have our way, and we have you to assure us of that. You're playing with the big boys now Wesley, you may be a tool, but you'll soon see you're a powerful tool. You're going to do big things"

Staring to the floor, Wesley didn't say a word.

***** ***** ***** *

"I found something" Lindsey spoke, for the first time in hours.

Angel, leaping out of his seat, rushed to the laptop, staring at the screen. "Guess who's a key part of this particular project?" Lindsey asked, letting Angel stare at the screen. A picture of Wesley was displayed. It looked like an ID Card Picture for Wolfram & Hart…

Angel nodded. He didn't even think about it, he knew what he was going to do; he knew what had to be done. That bastard was going down. Him and the rest of them, all going down. The chain will be broken, with a thunderous blow, it will be broken. He would return to the darkness, he would return to his place under the surface…in confinement…to suffer…

"I'm not sure how big of a part yet so don't go rushing off to find him…" Lindsey began before realizing Angel had already grabbed his jacket and was heading for the door.

"…Whatever…" Lindsey said with a shrug. He thought to himself as he watched Angel leave…
If someone had told me I was going to be doing this, I would have thought they were crazy…maybe I'm crazy. Where the hell am I going with all this decent crap? Am I trying to be a priest? I'm a strange man…
Then again, it's either this or I'm back at a law firm supporting the world's greatest evil. I'm doing the right thing; I just don't really know why I'm doing it. I really hope I don't turn out like him…seeking redemption or whatever. Strike me down now if this time next year I'm wandering the streets in a black trench coat saving a blonde from danger. Ah Lindsey, don't go overboard with this good deed thing, that's how Angel became the wonderful annoying bastard he is today. That's just what this world needs, another prick in a trench coat trying to be a hero…

As he drifted off into thought, the doors to the Hyperion closed. Angel was on his way. A few minutes passed by, Lindsey still observing Wolfram & Hart's activities through the laptop.
Suddenly he jumped up in his seat, staring at the screen with wide eyes. He remained silent for a moment, viewing what he had just found, a look of surprise fallen on his face.
"Oh…damn it!" he yelled, slamming his fists into the desk, "I have to tell him"

***** ***** ***** *

The doors to Lilah's office opened, Wesley walking in, headed for her desk. Letting himself slide into her chair, he sighed, loosening his tie. He wasn't given long before Lilah walked in, smiling as she noticed his presence.
"You just can't wait can you?" Lilah asked.
Wesley didn't answer, just got up from the chair and walked over to the window. He stared out into the night, not saying a word.
"What's a matter Wes? Nervous?" Lilah asked as she came up behind him, massaging his shoulders gently.
Still, he didn't answer, just let his eyes gaze out into the night.
"Linwood told me that The Senior Partners are keeping a close eye on tonight's events"
Still there was no response.
"Oh come on Wes. Cheer up, tonight's a big night for you. Who knows where you'll stand if you succeed"
Wesley still remained silent.
"…and you will succeed Wes. Soon enough you'll become a very powerful man. It may not be appealing to you right now but once you got a taste…there's no turning back"
With no answer still Lilah decided not to continue talking. The room was silent as she continued to massage his shoulders.

A sudden crash.

The silence was broken as the window before Wesley & Lilah shattered, a figure rushing in through it, knocking them both to the ground with force. As the pieces of glass landed and slid across the floor, Lilah and Wesley landing hard, the figure stood tall and balanced.

"…Angel…" Wesley spoke as he looked upwards, slight worry in his voice.
Angel looked down, his eyes empty and cold. Lifting Wesley from the ground he threw him across the room swiftly, hitting the desk hard and knocking the computer off its place.

Lilah scrambled to her feet, stumbling backward once before gathering her balance. A moment of silence passed as Angel stared at Lilah. Lilah then quickly started talking, "What is that, like, three windows you've broken in this building?"
Angel ignored Lilah, looking away from her and walking towards Wesley.

In a daze from Angel's previous attack, Wesley didn't even realize he was coming towards him once again. Soon enough he was lifted into the air and tossed to the other side of the room another time, hitting the wall even harder as Lilah watched.

"This is your plan? Bouncing Wesley all over my office?" she asked with a smirk on her face.

Wesley let out a painful moan as he lay on the floor against the wall.

Ignoring Lilah's comments Angel stepped in front of Wesley yet again, slamming a kick into his chest furiously, knocking him down to the ground.

Lilah smiled, "You do know security will be arriving in about ten seconds don't you?"

Angel looked at Lilah, his expression cold, "…I really hope for your sake you keep quiet from here on"

Surprised, Lilah's smile vanished from her face and she remained silent. Lifting Wesley up and holding him by his neck he turned to Lilah. "So, a great new employee has joined Wolfram & Hart. If you don't want him to be a dead employee you'll make sure security doesn't walk into this room. That way things can be nice and quick and everyone's happy. Alright?"

Lilah stared at Wesley, tangling in the air by Angel's tight grip on his neck. She thought for a few seconds before nodding and rushing to her desk, picking up the phone and dialing in a number.

"Cancel the security headed for my office"
A pause.

"Just cancel it. Trust me."
Another pause, then her hanging up the phone and looking to Angel.

"Good" Angel spoke, his voice cold and dark, "Now we can get this started"
He then released Wesley from his grip and let him fall to the ground, another painful moan following his crash.
Bending down to face Wesley's painful expression, Angel spoke, "You know what you are Wes? You're thirsty. Thirsty for betrayal. You took my son. You joined Wolfram & Hart. You're just drinking away. You know what, though? That's all right, because I'm thirsty too. You probably know that it's not for betrayal though. Since you had your fill from me, how about I have my fill from you?"
As Angel finished that sentence he let his vampire features fall upon his face. Wesley's expression turned into one of horror.

"…My god…" Lilah whispered from her position by the phone.

Wesley whispered to Angel so Lilah couldn't hear, his voice weak, "Angel…don't…I joined to stop them from…h-hurting you…to save you"

Angel smiled, slamming a fist into Wesley's face, knocking him back against the wall. "I read a great prophecy Wes. I forgot how it goes, hold on, let me remember…. it said…the annoying little law firm and all of their pesky little employees would all burn and die horrible deaths. Gee, never knew prophecies were so…fun!"

Wesley shook his head, "…Angel, you have to listen. I never intended on - -" but before he could finish he was cut off by Angel.
" - -Actually, unlike you I don't need a prophecy to tell me what to do. I know what my next move is. I'm going to destroy this damn chemical and bring down anyone who tries to stop me"

Lilah then spoke, knowing that the weeks in confinement obviously had a negative effect on his mind and it could easily be used to her advantage, "Wesley's the only person who knows where it is"
He won't be able to realize that Wolfram & Hart wouldn't trust Wesley with the chemical, he won't be able to realize much in the state he's in, Lilah thought. Things would go according to plan…

Angel turned to face her, then back to Wesley. "What? No I'm not…I don't know where it is…I was supposed to lure you to a place where they would inject it into you...I…I wasn't going to though…I swear…I never intended to…"

"Where is it?!" Angel asked, anger filling his voice now.

Wesley shook his head, "I don't…I don't have it…I swear…"

Lilah smiled, amused.

Angel's mind filled with thoughts. The desire to return to the confinement where he belongs. To return to his rightful place, suffering forever. To leave this world where he doesn't belong. To leave, to leave…He felt the desire rushing in him, he wanted to return to the torment he deserved right there and then. To go back under the surface…

…Maybe it was all the thoughts running through his head, maybe it was his anger, maybe he just couldn't take it anymore, and maybe he just wanted to return to that darkness, to suffer as soon as possible….
Angel lifted Wesley up and slammed his fangs into his neck. He drank as Wesley gasped, surprised and in pain.
Lilah watched on, a mix of shock and pleasure on her face, not able to say or do anything but watch.
Angel felt his blood rushing into his mouth, tasting it, swallowing it, and letting all his thoughts explode in this single action. Maybe in the complete mess that was his mind he felt this was the pathway to the darkness, to go back under the surface, to his underwater prison. To get to the suffering he was always meant for. He didn't know, he just wanted to leave this world, the world he didn't belong in. The world he wanted to escape, the world he never should have tried to build a life in. To leave, to leave, to leave…to suffer…forever…

He continued drinking until he felt something. A sudden pain, as if something was moving inside of him. He released himself from Wesley and fell back onto the floor, shouting in extreme pain. Clutching his stomach tightly he glanced at Lilah, his vision blurred, then back to Wesley. Eventually all he saw was darkness as he collapsed completely, screaming. Suddenly the screams stopped, he stopped moving and all was silent again.

The doors to Lilah's office flung open and Linwood walked in, smiling at the sight of Wesley & Angel, both collapsed on the floor - not moving.

"You were right. Your brilliant" Lilah said to him with a smile.

"I knew Wesley couldn't be trusted. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that he was in this only because he planned on carrying out a desperate attempt to help Angel. So if he wasn't going to be a team player, I had to give him that extra boost"

Before Lilah could respond, a familiar voice was heard, "…So you put the chemical in Wesley's blood, knowing he was traumatized after those weeks in the ocean. Knowing his state would drive him to drink…"

Linwood turned to see Lindsey who was out of breath. "…And you would be?"

A look of surprise fell over Lilah's face, "Lindsey…he…he used to work here"

Lindsey stared out to Angel, "He drank. That son of a bitch drank"

"What the hell are you doing here?" Linwood asked.

Lindsey shook his head in disbelief, "You bastards have no idea what you've done"

Linwood shook his head, "On the contrary…" staring out to Wesley now, "…I suppose now he'll know exactly how powerful a tool can be"

Lindsey, still in disbelief, continued to speak, "You bastards, you stupid bastards"

"Oh shut up Lindsey" Lilah spoke, "Since when do you care about anything that happens to Angel?"

Lindsey shot his eyes over to Lilah, "No, you shut up! When he wakes up…"

"All Hell is going to break loose?" Linwood asked with a smile.

Before Lindsey could answer, Angel's body began to move. He slowly lifted himself up, unbalanced. Clutching the wall for a moment, he moaned.

The three watched on, waiting.

Soon enough, Angel turned around with a look of exhaustion on his face. Bending down to Wesley's body and placing a finger on his bloody neck, he smiled. Tasting the blood off of his finger he looked to the three. "Well, that was…. different"

"…Angel?" Lilah asked.

Angel got up, smiling still, "Oh no, no…don't you worry. He's dead, tragic isn't it?"

A look of horror fell upon Lindsey's face as Lilah and Linwood smiled.

Laughing, Angel walked towards the broken window. "Oh…I'm going to rip this world open, let it bleed."

"Oh please do so. Just so you know you have the complete support of Wolfram & Hart behind you all the way" Linwood said in response.

Not responding to Linwood's comment, Angel then leapt out into the night, disappearing.

Turning to face Lindsey, Lilah found he had vanished as well.

Linwood smiled, "Well - this is going to be something isn't it?"