The tremors seized Fred's slight form and immobilized her, leaving her helpless against the fear. Someone was coming! She held her frozen breath deep inside as the now familiar pang of despair clung to her heart, but that faithless organ left her throat as the tremor appruptly ceased as her brilliant eyes caught sight of the hunched form of Angel cautiously lurching back down the alley.

His body was sturdy and strong, build for fighting battles to save the world or to score touchdown on the football field. His shoulders could blot out the moon and cast the alley into total blackness that even the most observant of Jasmine's eyes couldn't find them.

Only in darkness could Fred feel safe.

"No one's outside the Hotel right now Fred--it's now or never."

His voice, even at a whisper, was vibrant and unafraid, clothing her body in borrowed fearlessness. She felt stronger in his presence, and she had an irrational fear that she was leeching off some of his strength. If anyone should be handing out strength, it should be her--Angel would need all he could handle if what he had guessed about Cordie was true.

"Do you think it'll work?" Fred whispered after Angel turned around and began to creep back to the edge of the Alley, a strong wraith merging back with its kin the shadows. He didn't answer her, so Fred took a few hesitant steps forward, her eyes struggling to find Angel's dark form against the shadows.

The sudden appearance of Angel towering over her head caught her so off guard she almost fell--would have if Angel hadn't jerked his arm out and caught her with one stout arm.

"Ttthank you." Fred stammered, staring at Angel's darkened face. His eyes smoldered like black obsidian, hiding his feelings behind his careful mask. Angelus was somewhere in there, Fred knew, and she felt the tremors begin anew at that thought. Even in strength there was evil and fear...

"Fred..." Angel whispered, lowering so his handsome features were revealed in the soft light of the full moon. "Why are you shaking?"

"I'm scared, Angel." Her voice wavered, trembled like a petal about to tumble from a dying rose into the cooling autumn air. Her secret was set loose in the night air, although Angel had probably smelled the fear radiated from her slight form--Angelus would have.

Angel studied her for a heartbeat before his face softened again. "Fred, let me tell you a secret: everyone is afraid. Fear is good. Fear is what makes us save the world."

"You can't be afraid, Angel! You're strong!"

"No, I'm terrified. I've failed the world already once this week..." He ducked his head, slowly releasing her from his grasp.

"You haven't failed, Angel. We'll go in there and fix the world, just you see! And Angel..." Fred took a hesitant step forward, reaching up to clasp a steady hand to his cheek. "I won't tell Wes and Gunn your secret."