Bonded

Chapter Thirteen

 

Angel sits watching passively as Buffy paces back and forth like a caged lion. Her hands clinching and unclinching.

Angel: Buffy?

Buffy: He should not have been there. If I had been thinking right…

Angel: It is not your fault. You had no way of knowing.

Buffy: He never questions me. If I say go, he goes. This is not his responsibility, it is mine.

Angel: Buffy, he may not be the chosen one but he does what he knows he should. We all do.

Buffy: But he is human. He is not like you and me.

Angel: You are human too.

Buffy: No, I’m not. You never got that. I am as much a freak of nature as those I fight. I am not ever going to have a normal life. But Xander can and should.

Xander: Buffy?

She twirls around to see him sitting in a wheelchair with his arm in a sling.

Buffy: Xander. You’re okay?

Xander: Except for a hairline fracture of the shoulder and a handful of stitches, I am okay.

She leans down and tries to hug him. His good arm goes around her shoulders. She looks into his face and smiles.

Xander: Can you guys take me home?

Buffy: Of course. But what about Anya?

Xander: I don’t know. Is she at the apartment?

Buffy: I don’t know. I think so. Willow said she is opening the store every day. Why don’t we go to our house and you can figure this out in the morning?

Xander: Sounds like a good idea.

Angel: Buffy let’s get the car.

She nods and follows him.

 

Summer’s House.

Buffy opens the door and they enter the house.

Willow: Hi. Xander, you okay?

Xander: Not playing any baseball anytime soon but I can manage.

Dawn: Well we fixed the couch for you after Buffy called.

Xander: Thanks.

He eases down on the sofa and looks at the piles of books.

Xander: I guess patrol is out but I can help with the research.

Buffy: Not tonight. I think tonight we all need to rest

Everyone looks at her in shock.

Buffy: Okay, I was wrong. My plow ahead attitude almost got us killed.

Xander: No it didn’t.

Buffy pulls out the wristband.

Buffy: Besides, we got the time travel thingy.

Willow: You did?

Buffy: Yep and now we just need to find out when, we no longer need to know how. And I don’t see when being in those old books.

Willow: I think you are right.

Angel: So are you willing to go to bed?

Buffy: Yes. But come morning we start again.

Angel: Never a question.

Angel guides her up the stairs and to their room. They both strip and slide into bed exhausted. He pulls her into his embrace and within moments they are asleep.

 

Early morning

Buffy awakens and reaches her arm out. She feels the coolness of the empty sheet.

Buffy: Angel?

She hears the sounds of the shower and sits up. She glances at the clock. 6:30. She slides out of bed and pads into the adjoining bathroom. The steam fills the room and wraps around her like a warm blanket. She quickly uses the bathroom and then cracks open the curtain and slips in. She wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head on his back. His body shudders as he sighs.

Angel: You sleep okay?

Buffy: Like the dead.

Angel: Me too.

He turns around and eases her under the warm cascade of water. She tilts her head back and lets it flow over her face and neck. His warm soapy hands slither over her golden skin washing away the sweat and grime. She stands still under the gentle ministrations. As he finishes cleansing her flesh, he pours a generous amount of shampoo in his hand and massages it though her thick tresses. She relaxes as he tenderly rinses and conditions her hair.

Angel: You done?

Buffy: Uh huh?

He turns off the water and steps out and hands her a towel and takes one himself. They stand there silently drying themselves and then head into the bedroom. She stops and watches as he opens his dresser drawers and pulls out his clean clothes.

Buffy: Angel.

He turns and looks at her.

Angel: Yes, my love?

Buffy: Hold me. Please.

He moves quickly and takes her into his arms. Her arms slide around his torso and she rest her head on his chest.

Buffy: I am scared.

Angel: Me too but I have to believe we will find him.

Buffy: Angel, I..I..

Angel: What?

Buffy: I need your love.

Angel: You have it. Don’t ever doubt that.

Buffy: Will you think I am horrible if I ask you to make love to me. I need to feel your love.

Angel: Not horrible. I know how you are feeling.

She tilts her head back and he brushes his lips reverently against hers. Her hand snakes up and burrows into his thick curls.

Angel: You sure?

She nods and he lifts her off her feet and moves her to the bed. Lowering her gently amongst the tumbled linens, he captures her mouth. His hand slides between her open thighs and strokes her tender flesh. As he feels the warm fluids puddling out he shifts his hips between her legs and slowly enters her. Her ankles wrap around his waist as they slowly move in tandem. His finger connects with her clit and softly worries it. Almost immediately both their bodies quake and quiver in release. He looks into her green eyes.

Angel: I will always love you.

Buffy: I know.

She bites her bottom lip.

Angel lays beside her and pulls her into his arms as they both erupt in tears. They cling to each other drawing from the strength of their love.

Buffy: You ready to find our baby boy?

Angel: Never more so. I can not relax until he is in your arms again.

She kisses him and they get up and dress. They walk downstairs with their arms wrapped around each other’s waist. They move into the kitchen and find Xander sitting sipping a cup of coffee.

Buffy: You are up early.

Xander: Usually on the job site by now.

Buffy pours two cups and hands one to Angel.

Xander: So can I have the whole story.

Buffy quickly tells him all the details from Wes’s attempted kidnapping to the disappearance into the portal and on to their attack on Linwood.

Xander: And you don’t know anything else?

Buffy: No five days of research and pummeling every demon I can lay my hands on and no one knows anything about Shajhain. We have no idea where or actually when he took him.

Xander: And no Holtz on the internet.

Buffy: We doubt he kept the same name but we only found a couple dozen Daniel Holtz and none have panned out to be him.

Angel: And the record could be so far back they are not in the computer.

Buffy: But Willow is going through a genealogy search for all members of the Holtz family.

Angel: But we have no idea what he is calling Connor and if he is still using Holtz.

Xander: What about the girl?

Buffy: The girl?

Xander: The one he was running away with. Couldn’t she know something. I assume they had plans when they grabbed him.

Angel: Damn it. And if they had planned, he may have still used the names they picked wherever they ended up.

Buffy throws her arms around Xander only to have him yelp about his shoulder.

Buffy: Sorry.

She turns to Angel.

Buffy: We need to go to LA.

Angel: Daytime.

Buffy: I will drive. You can stay in the back.

Angel: Or we can wait until sundown. Justine will not expect us now or later.

Buffy: But.

Xander: I think he is trying to say he doesn’t trust your driving.

Buffy: He’s not

She looks at him.

Buffy: What? You have to be kidding. You let me drive you to the Magic Box.

Angel: A couple blocks. I have never seen you on a highway. I don’t want the first time to be from the backseat in the middle of day.

Xander: Hey before you guys get into a big argument, if the car is automatic I can drive it. If I can handle all the equipment at the construction site, I can certainly handle that ancient relic.

Angel: It is not ancient. It’s a classic.

Buffy: Sure honey. Xander, are you sure you can drive?

Xander: Sure.

Buffy: Would you feel better taking your car?

Xander: It’s a five speed.

Buffy: Angel, you okay with Xander driving?

Angel: If he thinks he can.

Buffy: Then it’s settled. We are heading to LA.

Dawn: LA?

Buffy: Morning Dawn. We are going to LA to find the girl that was with Holtz.

Dawn: When are you leaving?

Buffy: This morning. Xander is driving.

Dawn: Can I go?

Buffy: I don’t know.

Dawn: It’s Saturday.

Buffy: I know that but I am not sure how long this will take.

Dawn: Fine.

Angel: Dawn, what were you saying the other day about a paper you had questions on?

Dawn: It is for history class. I was hoping to get an inside scoop from someone who was there.

Angel: What’s the topic?

Dawn: Undecided. I was hoping for a little guidance from the expert.

Angel smiles.

Buffy: You two go discuss time gone by. I am going to get ready to leave.

Xander: I guess I need to go face Anya.

Buffy: If you can’t go after all just call.

Xander: I will.

As he turns to leave, Willow comes in the back door carrying a box.

Buffy: Will, where have you been. I thought you were still sleeping.

Willow: Just a little early morning thievery. I went to the gatehouse and got all Warren’s documents.

Buffy: On time travel?

Willow: And all his other inventions. You would not believe some of what they were up to.

Buffy: Do I want to know?

Willow: How about a cerebral dampner.

Buffy: A what?

Willow: It would allow them to control someone’s mind. The person would be a virtual slave.

Buffy: And do what ever they said?

Xander: Even their own little sex bunny?

Buffy: Xander, I thought you were leaving.

He threw up his hand defensively and walked out.

Willow: What was that all about?

Buffy: Nothing, just Andrew said last night they had planned on making me their sex bunny.

Willow: Oh, that is not good.

Buffy: Don’t tell Angel.

Willow: You going to start keeping secrets?

Buffy: No just going to wait until later. He has enough to think about now.

Willow: I guess so. So what is the plan now?

Buffy: Oh, yeah. Angel and I are going to LA to find Justine. Xander is going to drive.

Willow: Today?

Buffy: As soon as possible.

Willow: Let me examine the information on time travel first.

Buffy: Of course. We have to wait for Xander too.

Willow picks up the box and heads into the dining room. Buffy watches her leave and then looks into the living room where Dawn and Angel sit talking. She lifts her coffee mug and fights back the tears that continue to threaten.

 

Noon

Willow watches as Buffy and Angel set their leather satchels in the front hall. Buffy adds a blue diaper bag to the top.

Willow: I hope you will put that to use.

Buffy: Me too, Will, me too.

Angel: Is Xander pulling the car up?

Willow: Yes. He said he will get as close to the porch as possible.

Buffy: So are you finished with the time travel watch?

Willow: Yes. Buffy, it is wicked weird. One minute here and next minute then.

Buffy: And it looked to us like you were only gone a second or two.

Willow: I don’t know how Warren worked through all those formulas but I think I understand it and well it works. Plus it has the internal energy core, so no risk of it dying and getting trapped. Just have to be sure you are in the same place when you come back as when you leave.

Angel: And I guess make sure you are arriving in an empty space.

Willow: That to. I am not sure what would happen if you materialized in the middle of a wall or something.

Angel: Might hurt like hell.

Buffy: Ya think?

Xander walks in.

Xander: Ready?

Buffy: Yep.

 

Highway

Angel kicks back in the back seat with the blanket strategically blocking the sun. Buffy glances back and smiles at him.

Buffy: You lonely?

Xander: No please don’t. I can not drive while you two make out in the backseat. No way.

Buffy: Make out? What are we in junior high?

Angel: I know I’m not.

Xander: Okay I have to ask.

Buffy: Yes?

Xander: Last night. What did Angel mean when he said wife?

Buffy: You caught that huh?

Xander: Kinda hard to miss. I know you two didn’t run off and elope. I don’t even think it would be legal.

Buffy: We are not married. Not in the legal sense.

Xander: Is there another sense?

Buffy: Only the emotional one.

Angel: We are married in the custom of old-world Ireland.

Xander: And that is?

Buffy: The exchanging and wearing of the claddaugh.

She holds up her hand.

Xander: That is it? Stick a ring on each other and you are married?

Angel: If this was Ireland and it was 250 years ago.

Xander: Wish it had been that easy now. I would not be so messed up now.

Buffy reaches over and touches his arm.

Buffy: Anya is still angry?

Xander: She is beyond angry and I don’t blame her.

Buffy: What are you going to do?

Xander: Well first off find a new apartment.

Buffy: You letting her have the apartment?

Xander: Least I can do.

Buffy: You are welcome to stay with us until you find someplace.

Xander: I was hoping you would say that.

Angel: I might know an empty house.

Buffy: The gatehouse?

Angel: The trio are out of there.

Buffy: Xand?

Xander: Maybe.

Angel: Just talk to Celtic Real Estate if you are interested.

Xander: Thanks.

Buffy: Celtic?

Angel: The one on Hamilton.

Buffy: I know it. Just fits you.

Angel: I guess.

Xander: So what is the plan in LA?

Buffy: Track down Justine and make her tell us what she knows.

Xander: I got that much. But how?

Buffy: That part I am not sure of yet.

Angel: I have a few ideas.

Xander: What about Wesley?

Buffy: No way. I will find her with no help from that traitor.

Xander looks over at her and nods before turning back to the road. They continue on in silence.

 

Hyperion.

Xander holds open the door and Angel dashes in followed by Buffy. They stop and look around the empty lobby.

Buffy: Hello!!

Her voice echoes back to her. She drops the bags and walks into the office and back out.

Buffy: No one.

Xander: Are they usually here now?

Angel: Yes.

He cocks his head as a loud thump is heard upstairs. He walks over and opens the weapon cabinet. He hands Buffy a Sword. Xander grabs a short handled ax and Angel grabs his hurling ax. He heads up the stairs with Buffy directly behind him. Xander takes up the rear. They creep up the steps and down the hall. Angel points at a partially open door. Buffy quietly darts to the opposite side. Angel reaches out and shoves his door open. It slams back against the wall.

Fred: Ake!!!

Buffy, Xander, and Angel stare into their ravaged apartment. They walk in and look at the others.

Cordy: Angel? Buffy? And Xander?

Buffy: Hi Cordy. What is going on?

Cordy: Can’t you tell? We are trying to fix this room back to how it was.

Fred: Well as best we can.

Angel moves in and looks at the improvements.

Angel: It is looking nice.

Cordy: Well we figured we would be done before you came here again.

Gunn walks by carrying a singed item.

Angel: Hang on. Where you going with that?

Gunn: I'm tossing it.

Angel: It's an antique.

Gunn: It's a charcoal briquette.

Angel takes it from him.

Angel: We're not throwing it out.

He glances over at Fred.

Angel: What is that?

Fred: This?

Angel: Yes. That looks pink.

Cordy: It’s pomegranate

Angel: Uh its pink.

Gunn: I told you he wouldn’t like it.

Cordy: This room needs a change.

Angel: So you thought I would want a pink living room?

Fred: We have other colors.

Buffy: Let me see.

She kneels over and looks at the gallons of paint. She points at one and then at a room. Fred nods and smiles.

Buffy: Okay. Angel?

Angel: What?

Buffy: What do you say to the pomegranate in the kitchen area and maybe the bathroom. Then we have a deep red for the bedroom. Then a light blue for Connor’s room and a light taupe for in here.

Angel just stares at her.

Buffy: Or not.

Angel: I like the colors they were. Look, guys, I appreciate everybody's help... Really. But I just want everything back the way it was, okay? Or... close to it.

Cordelia: Not gonna be, you know?

Angel looks at her. She gestures to the wall and molding.

Cordelia: Unless we pay for real, honest-to-goodness, overpriced, contractors, those cracks are always gonna show.

Angel: Let them.

Cordelia: Ah, the old “gives the place character” philosophy. Guess that served you pretty well living in rotted out mansions and--

She stops when she sees him reach down and bring up a snow globe. Angel sits on a chair as he turns the globe over, revealing a turnkey. He winds it. "Brahm's Lullaby" plays as he turns it upright, the faux snow falling on the scene. Buffy sits beside him and watches it. He wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her close.

Angel: Don't know why I bought this for him. A whim, I guess. Thought he'd like to look at it. The snow. Doesn't ever snow in Southern California.

Buffy: Did once.

He looks up at her. Then turns and notices the others looking at him as well. After a moment, Angel stands up.

Angel: Hey, you know we shouldn't be wasting our time fixing up my place when we've got work to do.

Gunn: What work?

Angel: Finding Justine.

Fred: Why?

Buffy: Cause she would know what Holtz was planning before he went into the portal.

Cordy: But those plans are no longer important.

Buffy: We agree but she may know if he was going to use a different name or not.

Fred: And if he was, he may still be using it wherever he went.

Buffy: Exactly.

Cordy: Not a bad idea.

Buffy: Have to thank Xander.

Cordy looks over at the man staring at the cracked walls.

Cordy: What are you doing?

Xander: Did any one pick up joint compound?

Cordy: What?

Gunn: I did. But those are just too big.

Xander: Not really. Let me see what you got.

Gunn hands him the tub and a sheetrock knife.

Gunn: You know how to do this?

Xander: Everyday of the week. But I need you to hold the container.

Gunn: Was wondering about the broken wing.

Xander: I got shot.

Fred: Shot? As in shot?

Buffy: Yes. We confronted the nerd trio last night and one pulled a gun. Xander took a bullet aimed for me.

Fred: Wow. Oh wow.

Cordy: A regular hero?

Buffy: I think so.

She looks at Angel staring at the walls.

Buffy: So no go on the new colors?

Angel: What?

Buffy: Earth to Angel.

Angel: What did you ask?

Buffy: You are sure about the colors?

Angel: What ever you want is fine. It is your place too.

Buffy: Nope.

Angel: Anything but the pink.

Buffy: Gotcha. No pink.

Angel walks over and looks in the empty nursery.

Buffy: I guess we need to buy a crib for in there. For when we are here.

Angel nods and turns around.

Angel: Well, somebody ought to be downstairs. In case a walk-in should walk in.

He heads for the door and Buffy follows him and reaches for his hand.

Cordelia sighs: Never on Sundays.

 

Lobby

Phillip Spivey enters through the front door. He walks in slowly and looks around.

Spivey: Um... Hello? Angel Investigations?

Getting no answer, he crosses further into the lobby.

Spivey : Excuse me! Is anybody here?

His voices echoes back to him.

Spivey : Hey! Hell--

He stops suddenly when something at his feet catches his eye. A see-through slug creature slithers up behind him.

Spivey: Uh, look... Unless you want me to take my business someplace else.

He waits one more moment for a response.

Spivey : Fine. Probably couldn't find my dog anyway

As he turns to leave, the slug leaps at him and dives down his throat. As he stands there shaking his head, Angel And Buffy descend the stairs. They stop when he notices Spivey, whose back is to them.

Angel: Hi! Can I help you?

Spivey turns around and looks at them.

Spivey: What-- what was that?

Angel: I was just saying... If you're looking for Angel Investigations, I'm he. Him. Angel. And you are...?

Spivey: I... I need...

Angel: Don't be embarrassed. Whatever your problems are, I'm here to listen. And help, of course.

Spivey: We have to go.

He turns and runs out the door.

Buffy: That was odd.

Angel just nods.

 

Juice Bar

Spivey sits drinking two huge glasses at one time. Empty cups liter the counter and floor around him. His skin has taken on an extremely dry and craked appearance. The clerk stands nearby nervously.

Spivey: More. Like the last ones.

Spivey fishes out his wallet as the Manager steps in.

Manager: I don't wanna be rude, sir, but you've been here for almost six hours...

Cerk: And, like, a hundred peach smoothies.

Manager: And I think... I think you're not well. Sir.

Clerk: Dude, you haven't taken a whiz since you got here.

Spivey rips apart his cash-empty wallet - a couple of pennies bounce off the counter - and pulls out a few credit cards, pushing them at the Manager.

Spivey: Please.

Manager: We don't take credit cards.

Spivey: Water. Water, then.

Manager: Sir, if you don't leave, I'm gonna call the pol--

Spivey grabs the Manager by his shirt and yanks him across the counter.

Spivey: We're thirsty.

 

 

Hyperion

Office

Angel sits at Wesley’s desk digging through his files. Buffy sits playing with the snow globe.

Buffy: We need to take him to see the real stuff.

Angel looks up at her confused.

Buffy: When Connor gets older, I mean. Not now.

Angel: Let’s just get him home first.

Buffy: We will. I can feel it

Angel: I hope you are right.

Buffy: Let’s call it mother’s intuition with slayer instinct thrown in.

Angel stands up and takes her in his arms.

Angel: I will never underestimate your instincts.

Buffy: So lets find Justine and bring our baby home.

 

Lobby

Fred stands watching them from across the room

Fred: It's funny. Well, sad, actually...I keep expecting to find... I mean, it's weird seeing Angel sitting at that desk.

Gunn: It was his when I got here. Seems right that it's his again.

Fred: Yeah. But, thing's have cooled down a little since...I'm just saying maybe it's time to...Look, he doesn't have to forgive
Wesley.

Gunn: Glad you think so, 'cuz not happenin'.

Fred: No. Right. He shouldn't. But... isn't there some way to, I don't know... come back from this?

Gunn: No unless Wes comes back with that baby under his arm. And even then, Angel'd probably kill him on principle.

Fred: Y--You don't really think that.

Gunn: He took the man's son. Probably best we never mention the guy's name again.

Angel walks out of the office with Buffy. Fred looks up expectantly

Angel: What's going on?

Lorne: I'll tell you what's going on...

Fred jumps at the sound of the voice and turns to look at Lorne coming in from outside. He is wearing a trench coat with the collar turned up and a large hat.

Lorne: Big brouhaha at the juice bar across the street. Only, light on the "ha ha." Some guy over there's cracking up.

 

Juice Bar

Spivey is skin continues to dry and crack. Looking like a dried river bed He is attacking the clerk as wreckage riddles the floor. The clerk holds up a key.

Clerk: Here. Key to the safe. Take it. Just don't hurt me, dude. Don't--

Spivey shove him away.

The clerk lands next to the Manager's prone and bleeding body. He huddles into the corner, whimpering. Spivey rips the top off a large juice dispenser, picks it up, holds it above his head, and starts to drink. The clerk gets to his feet and runs for the door as Angel and company enter.

Cerk: Look out! Dude's got Ebola or something--

He runs out. Angel and the others look at Spivey, draining the dispenser, ravenously.

Angel: Okay, pal. You wanna put down the Big Gulp, nice and easy, or--

He hesitates as he recognizes him.

Angel: Hey. I know you.

Gunn
You do?

Buffy: He came by the hotel earlier.

Gunn: You didn't mention the mummy man to us..

Angel: He's not. I mean, he wasn't. He's--

Fred picks up the man’s wallet off the floor.

Fred: "Phillip J. Spivey." From Inglewood, according to his license.

Angel looks back to Spivey.

Angel: Mr. Spivey? Phil?

Spivey glances at him but continues to drink

Angel: Hi. Remember me?

He crosses to Spivey, calmly.

Angel: We're just gonna take a walk to my office across the street and see if we can figure out what's what. Sound okay with you?

Spivey stops drinking

Spivey: We're thirsty!

He raises the dispenser to hurl at Angel. Angel ducks

Buffy: I'll take that as a "no."

She clocks Spivey hard in the jaw, bringing him down. Angel looks at her and smirks.

Angel: Let’s take him to the hotel case.

Lobby

Angel carries in the body.

Buffy: Put him on the couch.

The body continues to dry and crack

Fred: My God. Look at his face.

Angel: Fred, any water in the fridge?

Fred: A few bottles, I think.

Angel: We're gonna need 'em.

She goes. Lorne calls after her.

Lorne: Some Chapstick wouldn't hurt, either, kitten.

Gunn: Glad you're having fun with this.

Buffy: He kept saying "we." Earlier it is was "we have to go." Now, "we're thirsty..."

Cordelia: Okay, so he's pretentious.

Spivey starts moving and tries to stand.

Angel: Whoa buddy. Take a seat.

He looks at Angel.

Spivey: What did you do to me?

He falls on the floor and crumbles into pieces. Everyone stands staring.

Buffy: Now that is wicked gross.

Angel: I didn‘t do anything.

Cordelia: That's what the Sandman said.

Angel: How is this my fault? I was trying to help him. What'd he go and say that for?

Buffy: Uh guys, what’s that?

They all look as the transparent slug slithers out of the corpse and across the floor.

Gunn: Okay, that was a thing.

Everyone begins looking around

Xander: Where'd it go?

Angel and Buffy start to fan out a bit, looking, to no avail.

Buffy: I am not thinking this is not good.

Cordy: Well if it isn’t little miss states the obvious.

Buffy: Excuse me?

Cordy: I think we all know this is not good. You are not the only experienced demon fighter here. We don’t need you to tell us what we already can see.

Angel steps between them and puts up his hands.

Angel: I don’t think we need this now.

Buffy: She started it.

Cordy: As if.

Angel: Please.

Buffy begins looking around the room

Buffy: Fine. Let’s just find the slug and kill it.

Cordy: Again with the telling us what we already know.

Buffy whips around and Angel steps in and wraps his arms around her. She looks up and sighs.

Angel: Everyone grab a weapon. Cordy, you and Gunn lock all the doors tight.

He walks to the weapons cabinet. He grabs a dagger and slips it into his belt. He passes a sabre to Xander and a sword to Lorne.

Lorne: Not really the hunter type. Couldn't I just come along and cheerlead?

Buffy reaches in and grabs her own sword and palms a small machete.

Cordelia: Hotel's shut tight.

Angel: Good. Don't want anyone else getting infected.

He hands Cordy another sword and offers Gunn a crossbow.

Angel: Cordy, you Lorne, and Xander make a sweep of the third floor and work your way down. Buffy and I'll start at the top.

Lorne swings his sword around a little awkwardly, trying to get the feel of it.

Lorne: Uh... Exactly how do we know slicing and dicing will do the trick on Mr. Sluggo?

Angel: That's why Fred's gonna hit the books. See if she can find out what we're dealing with.

Fred: Angel... I--I don't even know where to being to look...

Angel: I know you can do it.

She slowly nods and heads to the office

Gunn: I'll stay with her. Keep watch.

Angel: Watch close. This thing's hard to see.

Cordelia: This thing drank every speck of moisture out of a man's body.

Angel stops and looks at her.

Cordelia: I'm just saying... Shouldn't we wait to see what Fred finds out before we go chasing around after it?

Angel: Longer we wait, the sooner that thing finds a way out of here. And into the world.

He slams the cabinet shut for emphasis.

Angel: And I'm not gonna let that happen. Buffy.

He heads up the stairs with her following.

 

Upstairs

Angel and Buffy slowly make their way down the hall. There eyes darting around the walls, floor and ceiling. They hear a loud crash. They begin running They look in the partially open doorway. Angel pushes the door open wider. He reaches around and flips on the light. Nothing happens. They slip into the vacant bedroom and Angel moves toward another open door. He flips on the bathroom light. A slug perches on the open toilet tank slurping way. The creature squeals and charges them. They jump back. It moves into the dark bedroom leaving a glowing trail across the floor that soon fades. Buffy turns around and darts her eyes frantically.

Buffy: Where’d it go?

Angel: Not sure. Let’s…

Buffy: Shh.

She stands completely still and they both listen quietly. Buffy suddenly whips to the left and flings the machete over Angel’s shoulder and into the wall. He stands and smiles at her without turning around.

Angel: Get him?

Buffy: Of course.

She walks over to the glowing creature impaled on the wall. It hangs limp. She leans forward to get a better look at the creature.

Angel: I guess…..

Loud squeal. The slug tears itself from the knife and hurls itself at Buffy. She dives and rolls away. She lands on her feet and holds her sword in readiness

 

Downstairs.

Fred sits at Wesley’s desk with numerous open books before her. She is overwhelmed.

Fred: God... I hate this...

Gunn stands watching her.

Gunn: I'm with you... That creepy crawler was seriously messed up. With those feelers or whatever sticking out of its face...slithering around like a worm with its slimy--

Fred: N-no, Charles... I meant... I hate going through these books.

Gunn: Oh. Oh, yeah. Books. That's rough.

He goes back to looking out the door.

Fred: I am just not trained enough to do this. Not by myself.

She glances over at Gunn.

Fred: Are you listening to me?

His eyes continue to pan over the lobby.

Gunn: Yes. Books hard. Got that.

Fred sighs.

Fred: I mean, ask me to research stuff on wave-particle dualities or the Schrodinger Equation and I'm a hellcat. But this...Angel's just go to realize that I'm just not as qualified for this as...……some people.

Gunn: Yeah, well, "some people" aren't around anymore. So, you're just gonna have to learn to get good at it.

Fred: Well, but, what if I fail? What if I can't find anything to help us?

Gunn: We'll manage. Not sayin' I don't prefer something I can punch. But I think we can handle once little slug from hell.

 

Upstairs

Cordelia, Xander, and Lorne enter a large lounge type room.

Xander: Feels like old times. Well except for the green guy with horns.

Lorne: I could take offense.

Xander: No man. I meant patrolling with Cordelia.

Cordelia: Memories I would much rather forget, thank you.

Xander: Not…..

Cordelia, suddenly realizing he's looking just past her, slowly turns her head. A slug perches on a pillar behind her, ready to pounce. Cordy spins and swipes at it with her sword, slicing the creature. It squeals before leaping away.

Cordelia: Get it!

The trio chase after it. They beginning running down a stairwell.

Lorne: Remind me again why I hang with you folks.

Cordelia: The adventure.

As they reach the landing, she reaches for the door handle, when it suddenly flies open. Cordy yelps with surprise as she runs smack dab into Angel.

Angel and Cordelia: We saw it!

They look at each other.

Angel and Cordelia: You saw it?

Lobby

Gunn: There's more than one?

Angel: Two, at least. Should probably assume there are more.

Lorne: Do we have to?

Angel: But at least we have one advantage.

Cordelia: What, they glow in the dark? How's that supposed to help us, unless we shut off all the lights in the…. holy crap you're not serious.

Angel: These things are hard enough to kill as it is. We speared one and it was still strong enough to attack us and escape. If this makes them easier to find, I say we take the chance.

Fred: All the lights?

Angel hands her an emergency lamp.

Angel: Here. Take this and lock yourself up in the office. We still need answers, Fred.

Fred: Right.

She nods, takes the lamp and heads back into the office.

Gunn: Boy, this just keeps gettin' funner and funner.

Angel: Glad to hear you're enjoying this, 'cause somebody's got to go down to the basement and shut off the power.

Gunn stares at him and shakes his head.

Gunn: Nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh...

Gunn walking down the cellar steps, sweeping around with the crossbow in one hand. Angel and Buffy are right behind him. Angel points him to the large panel box. Buffy suddenly sweeps her sword into the shadows. There is a loud squeak. Gunn whips around with his crossbow. Gunn looks over at Buffy as she pulls her sword back. Angel looks back and shakes his head.

Angel: Rat.

Gunn: Oh.

He turns away from Angel and opens the panel box.

Gunn: Rat.

Cordelia looks down from above

Cordelia: Everything okay down there?

Gunn: Oh, yeah! It's a party!

He flips the main circuit breaker and plunges the hotel into darkness.

Gunn: And here's the icing on the cake.

Upstairs

Fred continues to pour over the books by the light of the emergency lantern. She pulls the lamp closer and does not notice the slug creeping up the wall behind her. She notices a eerie blue light bouncing off the desk and turns. The slug leaps onto her and plunges down her throat.

 

Hallway

Angel, Buffy, Lorne, Xander, and Cordelia move slowly down the pitch dark hallway.

Lorne: Where are we?

Angel: South wing. Haven't found a use for it yet so we keep it closed up.

Cordelia: Do you hear something?

They all stop and listen.

Lorne: Sorry, cupcake. All I'm picking up's the loud, erratic thumping of the heart in my mouth.

Cordelia: Listen... It's like... It's almost like...

Buffy: Birds.

Cordelia nods. They keep creeping forward and come upon a set of double doors.

Cordelia: Do we even have keys for this?

Angel smiles and moves toward the doors. Buffy touches his arm. He looks at her and waves to the doors. She brings up her foot up and kicks the doors in.

Cordelia: Show off.

Buffy: Needed a bit of violence.

Angel smirks at her.

Office

Gunn stands knocking on the door.

Gunn: Fred. It's me. Open up.

Fred slowly opens the door and he walks in. She moves back to her seat.

Gunn: Sorry it took me so long to get back. Did a quick look around to see if any slimeys were lurking. We're good.

Fred sits quietly staring at the books.

Gunn: How you holding up, babe? You okay?

Fred looks up at him with fear etched on her face.

Fred: Scared. Very... scared.

Gunn: I know. It's gonna be okay. Just have to keep it together. Watch each other's backs.

She turns back to the books.

Gunn: Y'know, when this is over, I think you and me should go away someplace. Maybe Baja. A little sun, sand. Think we deserve-

Fred: We have to get out of here.

Gunn: That's... what I'm sayin'. And we will. Soon as we take care of these things, I'll talk to Angel. Maybe--

He hears a slurping noise.

Gunn: Fred?

He raises the lamp and watches her drink from the broken snow globe. Fear consumes him completely.

Gunn: Aw, no...

Fred looks at him pleading with her eyes

Fred: We're thirsty.

 

Ballroom

Angel, Buffy, Lorne, Cordy and Xander move through the room. There are tables and chairs scattered about Dust and cobwebs cling to everything. They listen for the source of the continuous chirping.

Cordelia: Ugh. Where is that sound coming from?

Angel: Definitely in this room. Somewhere.

Lorne: Y'know, this space is one part hum, two parts dinger. Ever think of turning it into a nightclub?

Angel stands and looks at him.

Lorne: Hey. Missing the life. Sue me.

Cordelia: Gunn?

Gunn comes in with Fred in tow.

Gunn: We got a serious problem.

He pulls Fred forward. She drinks voraciously from a bottle of water.

Cordelia: Oh, no. Fred...

Gunn: We have to get her help. And we gotta get it fast. I'm not gonna--

Angel: Fred? Fred, can you hear me?

Gunn: It's no good. That thing's jammin' her brain. You can't reach her.

Fred: Angel...

Everyone looks at her.

Angel: Fred?

Fred: I... feel it. Its needs. Its...thirst. Oh, god, I'm so thirsty!

Angel stops her from drinking.

Gunn: Hang on, baby. We're getting you to a hospital.

Fred: No!!! Charles! We... No... It wants that... To escape. Spread. You can't let it... let us... It...It.. will... kill...

She grabs the bottle of water and starts chugging it. Everyone looks on terrified.

Gunn: That's it. C'mon.

He help Fred to stand up.

Angel: What are you doing?

Gunn: Getting her out of here.

Angel: After what she said...

Gunn: I don't give a damn what she said! For all I know, it's that thing inside her calling the shots.

He starts to lead her out. Angel gets in front of him.

Angel: Gunn--

Gunn: Get outta my way, Angel.

Angel: Think about this. How's she gonna feel if taking her out of here causes more people to die?

Buffy: Gunn, I know how you are feeling. You want to do anything to help. But they can’t help her there. They wouldn’t know how to help her.

Xander: Uh guys.

Angel: Not now Xander.

Xander: I found the noise.

Cordelia: Where?

She moves beside him and hear it clearly beneath their feet.

Cordelia: Oh

She points at the floor. Angel moves forward and slams his ax into the wooden floor. It splinters and exposes the space below.

Cordelia: Oh my God! We have a pool?!

Everyone looks down into the murky water filled with glowing slugs.

Angel: Run.

Cordelia leads the retreat. Buffy grabs Fred and follows. Angel covers the rear.

Cordelia: This way!

She leads them into the industrial kitchen. They pile in and Buffy and Xander slam the doors shut. Angel pushes the lock in place.

Cordelia: They're all over.

Fred: No more running. Too hot. Too hot.

Buffy: Hot? They don’t like it hot.

Angel turns to the stoves.

Angel: Help me. Xander, Lorne, make sure all the doors are locked.

Lorne: We're gonna cook 'em?

Angel starts switching on all the burners.

Angel: We're gonna cook the air. Dry it out.

Buffy moves to the ovens, and turns up all the broilers.

Angel: Make it so uncomfortable for them, they won't want in.

Fred screams.

Lorne: Now, that's what I call uncomfortable.

Fred: Charles! Where's Charles?!

Everyone looks around wildly

Hallway

Gunn stands pounding on a closed door. Wesley jerks it open and stares at him.

Gunn: Need your help.

Wesley stands just looking at him unemotional.

Gunn: Look, I don't have time to get into it with you. I don't even wanna be here.

Wesley: Then why are you?

Gunn: The hotel's infested with something. Some kinda... slug, jellyfish thing. We don't know what they are or how to kill them.

Wesley: Well, now, that is a problem.

Gunn: These things... there's hundreds of 'em. They get inside you. And... and soak up all the moisture in your body. They drink you alive.

Wesley: Why come to me? I expect Angel will find a way to kill them eventually.

Gunn: That's not what I'm looking for. I need to know how to get these slugs out of someone once they're infected. Force it out somehow...

Wesley: Sorry.

Gunn: Don't give me that! If you saw what these things do...

Wesley: I wish I could help you.

Gunn: Wes--

Wesley: Sorry you wasted your time--

Gunn: It's Fred!

Wesley stops and slowly walks over to a cabinet. He opens it and pulls out a full bottle of vodka.

Gunn: What, we're gonna have a drink now? Did you hear what I said? She's dying!

Wes crosses to Gunn with the bottle.

Wesley: I was dying. I knew it laying in their front yard, life pouring out of my throat. Do you know why I fought to stay alive?

Gunn: Wes, I don't have time--!

Wesley: I needed to live to see my friends again. To explain to the people I trusted... and loved... my side of what happened.

Gunn: We know what--

Wesley: You don't know anything.

He thrusts the bottle at Gunn.


Wesley: I'll help because it's Fred. But just so we understand each other... Don't ever come here again. None of you are welcome here.

Gunn takes the bottle and stares at it..

Hotel Kitchen

Angel: Cordy, turn off the stoves. Lorne , the ovens.

Cordelia: Angel, why?

Angel: Hurry.

Angel: Cordy, you and the others get Fred to a hospital.

Cordelia: Didn't we talk about that? Infectingthe world blah blah blah.

Angel: We don't have a choice. They can keep her hydrated there, hopefully long enough to surgically get that thing out of her.

Xander: We are surrounded. How are we to get past?

Angel Buffy and I will keep them occupied. Slow them down as long as I can. Ready baby?

Buffy: It’s what I live for.

Angel picks up his sword.

Angel: Go guys

Angel pulls the latch on the door and Lorne and Xander guide grab Fred and drag her out.

Cordelia: Angel

Angel: Go. Save Fred. Please.

Cordy reluctantly turns and joins the others at the door.

Angel: Now!

He kicks the door open and the slugs surge into the room. Buffy whips her sword up and through one. Angel and her move in tandem. Swinging and occasionally slicing through a slug. Cordelia stops in the doorway and watches for a moment, before bringing up her sword and running back into the kitchen and joining them/

Angel: Cordelia! I told you to get out of here!

Cordelia: Make me.

 

Lobby

Lorne and Xander half carry Fred toward the door. Gunn burst in.

Gunn: Put my girl down.

Lorne: Gunn! Where did--

Gunn: News updates later. Just lay her down.

They lower her onto the steps.

Xander: We need to get her to the hospital.

Gunn: No she needs this.

He holds up the bottle of vodka.

Gunn: Hold her arms…..Do it!

Xander and Lorne grab her and Gunn puts the bottle to Fred's lips. She opens her mouth and drinks quickly for a moment before she turns her head and struggles to get away.

Gunn: C'mon, baby. Drink.

He begins forcing her to drink.

 

Kitchen

Buffy, Angel and Cordy continue to battle the slugs. They are everywhere..

Buffy: Angel, two incoming. Four o'clock. Angel spins as the two slugs attack. His sword cuts them both in half.

Buffy turns and swipes at one above her head.

Buffy: Cordy, ten o’clock.

Cordy turns to look as it leaps at her head. Her hand instinctively lifts up and catches the creature.

Angel: Cordy?

The slug squirms in her hand.

 

Lobby

Fred begins to tremor and convulse. She leans forward and coughs. The slug slithers out and across the floor. It is weak and slow.
Xander grabs his sabre and slices it into pieces.

 

Kitchen

Buffy: Cordy?

Cordy stands holding the slug and a strange glow begins to emanate from the slug and her hand.

Cordelia: Angel...? What's... happening...to...

The light gets brighter and moves down her arm

Cordelia: ...Me?

Suddenly her whole body is immersed in light and then the light expands throughout the hotel. Angel and Buffy put up their arms up to shield their eyes. The slugs beginning squealing and a bursting.

Lobby

Angel, Buffy, and Cordy walk in.

Lorne: Okay, unless anyone else has something, let me be the first to say “what the hell was that?”

Angel: Cordelia.

Xander: Huh?

Buffy: Cordy the glow worm.

Gunn: A new demon power?

Cordelia: Sure beats horns and a tail.

Lorne: Hey. I'm standing right here.

Angel looks at Fred

Angel: She okay?

Gunn: Yeah. I, uh... got this idea...

He holds up the bottle of vodka

Gunn: Alcohol. Dehydrates the body. Getsthe slug out.

Angel stares at him.

Gunn: Okay, so I took off when those things started coming outta the floor. I mean, it's not like I was running out on you. I was…Look, somebody I care about was dying and I just couldn't sit around and debate strategy. I saw an opportunity to... to... get some kinda help..Hey, I did what I had to do. And if you don't get that--

Buffy: We get it. Now that disaster is averted can we get to finding Justine.

The others immediately nod at the troubled couple.

Angel: Yes. Fred did you find anything?

Fred: I went through all of Wesley’s files and nothing.

Buffy: What about possible connections to vampire victims.

Cordelia: I found a few possibilities but one looks promising. Victim by the name of Julia Cooper. Died from a severe wound to the neck.

Buffy: Let me guess. Extreme blood loss.

Cordelia: And a twin sister named Justine.

Buffy: I think she found a winner.

Angel: Thanks Cordy.

Cordelia: I will keep looking in case this one is not her.

Angel: I know you will. So do you have an address or something to go on?

She picks up a piece of paper off the desk and hands it to him. He grabs his coat and heads up the stirs to the front door. Buffy Is right behind him. He turns to take her hand and suddenly the doors fly open and Angel takes foot to the chest. He flies back knocking Buffy down with him. They both flip onto their feet to face the intruder. The young man stands holding a cross-bow pointed at Angel.

Young Man: Hi. Dad.