After the group sort out a case at a nearby gym, Cordelia receives a vision of a demon. Wesley finds it in a book, and then takes Angel to a bar, Cariatos, to meet Merl, an informant. Angel is led to the demon's regular hideouts, and there he encounters a pregnant woman. At that moment, the demon, a vicious killer, attacks, but Angel kills it. He thinks he has saved the woman, but she turns round in shock, wondering why he has killed her protector. When Angel returns to Cordelia and Wesley, they are very reassuring, but Angel worries about a Tribunal the woman mentioned.

Angel goes to Merl again, and this time gets some better answers. The child is some kind of seer that many demons would like to see dead. The woman wants the tribunal to receive asylum for her and her child. Angel is given some idea where the demon's lair once was, and with Gunn's help, finds the place and tries to find clues.

On arrival, he finds a coat of arms, which he asks Gunn to take to Wesley. After Gunn leaves, the woman returns, and Angel begins to explain. He wants to protect her now, the demon's mission is now his. He fends off several demons as they try to make their escape, but the woman leaves. Angel goes to Cariatos, and sings to get a reading from the Host.

He finds out where the girl is, and what will happen. He rushes to her, and with the coat of arms, he can be her champion in a fight to death to decide whether she will be protected or killed. Despite an early blow that would have killed most people, Angel fights on, and wins the woman's protection. Angel, Cordelia and Wesley are now set back on their mission.