A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter Ten

 

Giles:

I’m not sure what to say.

Cordy:

Told you so.

Tara:

So, are you an..an angel or something?

Cordy:

(laughing)

Let’s hope not!

Giles:

You said you were brought here to help Willow?

Cordy:

I think so. I know They said they need me to help a her. And so far Willow is the only one that fits the bill. No offense Tara, but…

Tara:

I know…beyond help.

Cordy:

Cause ya know, if there was a shot, I’d be right there. Shooting.

Giles:

I think Tara understands Cordelia. So if you can help Willow, if They want you to help Willow, why are you here?

Cordy:

Don’t know. We only had the audio up until now. I still don’t know how to find her.

Suddenly, everything goes black and when the three are able to see again, they find they are in the same place as the two Willows.

Tara:

Oh no.

Cordy:

Two? There’s two of them now?

Giles:

I don’t think it’s that simple. Willow?

Neither even looks their way and Giles steps forward to intercede. He only makes it a few feet when he is knocked backwards by some invisible force protecting the Willows from hearing or seeing anything but each other.

Cut to Willows

Evil Willow:

Come on! I know you can do better than this.

Willow:

(standing slowly)

I’m not fighting you.

Evil Willow:

Well that’s obvious.

Willow:

You can’t be here. You can’t stay here.

Evil Willow:

No, see the deal is I can stay. One of us has to stay. It’s the only way. And only the strong survive. Best I can tell, you are way under spec.

Willow:

No!

Evil Willow:

(laughing) That’s it! Just keep talking. At least until I take even that away.

Without warning, evil Willow sends a stream of energy from her hand and it strikes Willow in the head. She grabs her head from the pain and drops to her knees.

Cut to other side

Giles:

Cordelia! Do something!

Cordy:

What do you expect me to do? I can’t even get in there, and I wouldn’t know what to do if I did.

Giles:

Then why in God’s name did They bring you here?

Cordy:

As soon as you find out send me a memo!

Tara:

Guys…look.

Willow has hands on the ground and pushes up until she stands. Evil Willow seems a bit distracted by this and the stream stops.

Willow:

I won’t let you go back. I’ll do whatever I have to.

Evil Willow:

God! No wonder you wanted to be me! You’re just a whiny pathetic excuse for a human. Believe me when I say, you did the right thing. I can make all your worries disappear. (steps closer to stroke her face) Just let me help.

Willow:

(reaches to grab her hand) I have strength you can’t imagine. (Smiles and takes other hand so they both are touching her face) Let me show you.

Evil Willow:

I don’t think so.

A wave of energy begins to surround both of them as they stare into the other’s eyes.

Tara:

What’s happening?

Giles:

I’m not really sure. Cordelia, do you…?

He turns to see Cordelia heading for the same place he had been earlier. But instead of prohibiting her, a opening reveals itself and Cordelia steps through silently.

Tara:

How did she?

Giles:

(thoughtful)

I believe she always could Tara.

 

Cut to Lobby

Connor:

You came for me.

Justine:

Not quite. I came because of you. (steps down into the lobby) I came because of what Holtz did. I came because I’m tired of trying to fight evil only to come up against more like me.

Gunn:

What is she babbling about?

Fred:

Maybe a kick to the head from the Slayer does more damage than we thought.

Justine:

Don’t flatter yourself Buffy. I’ve taken a lot harder hits than yours.

Buffy:

I’m sure you have.

Connor:

What are you doing. You shouldn’t have come.

Justine:

I shouldn’t have done a lot of things. I’m starting to get that.

Lilah:

Is this one of those epiphany things that seems to be the running gag around here? Cause you should really go for the original.

Justine:

Yes of course. And I guess the sarcastic bitch persona is all new then?

Wesley:

If you ladies are finished, perhaps you could remind me why I’m not killing one or the both of you just for the sport.

Lilah:

Well, I am rather surprised to not see a slit in her throat about now. And here I thought you were a changed man Wes.

Buffy:

Is this what you people do here? Trade insults and witty repartee? And here I thought Sunnydale was the capitol.

Fred:

She has a point. We’re wasting time.

Justine:

Well, that’s the one thing you have plenty of actually.

Connor:

Shut up.

Buffy:

Enough. Welsey, what else can you tell me about these whatchamacalits?

Wesley:

Actually you would no more than I.

Buffy:

Escuse me?

Wesley:

It’s been a long time. But Cordelia told me of the time you came to visit Angel. In the other offices?

Buffy:

(frowns then remembers) Oh! That was the demon from the window? Angel killed it like it was nothing. Let me think, it was the jewel. He smashed the jewel.

Wesley:

Yes that’s correct.

Buffy:

So where do I find them?

Wesley:

I took the liberty of locating the nearest saline plant to the location where we last knew Angel to be. It’s not far.

Buffy:

Good. (takes the paper from Wes’ hand and grabs Connor by the arm)

Connor:

Hey!

Buffy:

Don’t even try. You’re coming with me.

Fred:

What about us? Don’t you think we should have a plan?

Buffy:

I go, find the demon, make them tell me where Angel is or feed them the boy.

Wesley:

Buffy!

Gunn:

What about weapons? You can’t watch the boy and fight the demons at the same time.

Buffy:

Good point. You free?

Gunn:

(looks at Fred)

Yeah.

Fred:

Then I’m going too.

Buffy:

It doesn’t work like that.

Lilah:

This isn’t your little town friend. You’re way out of your league if you think…

Buffy moves quickly to the weapons cabinet and locates a pair of handcuffs. She strides back to Lilah who sees what is coming.

Lilah:

If you think for one second that…

Buffy doesn’t even look at her before she drags her with one hand and raises the other to backhand Lilah in the nose immediately drawing blood. As she cups her nose in pain, Buffy drags her farther until she reaches Justine. Justine prepares to attack and Buffy surprises her with a kick to the knee causing her to fall instantly. Within seconds Justines hand is handcuffed to Lilahs as they both try and recover enough to form words. Buffy spins to face the others and finds them all staring slack-jawed.

Buffy:

Okay, Wesley, you and Fred babysit our new friends. Gunn, grab what we need. Connor, let’s move.

There’s another long pause while everyone tried to take everything in.

Buffy:

Today people!

 

Cut to plant

Angel is out fo control. He strains against the bonds and growls angrily shaking the box. After hours of this, he has managed to free himself of two of the chains. The box shakes again and he notices the container moving. He continues until it is apparent that if he keeps on, it will eventually tip and leak through the opening. He works even harder until the container is abruptly taken away.

Mohra:

We can help you.

Angel:

(grunting and salivating)

I don’t want your help!

Mohra:

Time is now. You will be released and given what you desire. You only need to accept your fate.

Angel:

(stops moving)

Choosing my demon side.

Mohra:

No. The End of Days will come, of this it is certain. You must choose your side.

Angel:

You want me to fight for you?

Mohra:

No. We do not want you to fight at all.

Angel:

I don’t understand.

Mohra:

(raising hand to slice skin)

We can save you.

The blood drips down until it falls off the hand and through the hole dropping onto Angel’s cheek. He jumps as if burned and his eyes widen.

Angel:

No. No, I can’t do that.

Mohra:

Not yet. First you will battle the ones who sought to deny you life.

Angel:

No.

Mohra:

Then you will stay. You will stay until you are ready.

The Mohra places the container back over the opening making sure the top is secure. Angel begins to stir and groan again.

 

Cut to Hotel

Fred:

Did you see what she did? How fast she did it?

Wesley:

She’s trained for such things Fred. And even more so, she inherited the skill as part of her calling.

Fred

Well, I think those two heard her calling loud and clear.

Wesley:

(looking at the two women struggling to release themselves)

That was rather enjoyable to witness I must say.

The two giggle privately until the lobby doors open. In the haste to get inside, Xander doesn’t see the women on the floor.

Xander:

Wesley!

He runs down the steps and trips over the pair on the floor, falling on top of them.

Lilah:

Get off of me!

Justine:

What the hell!

Xander:

Oh excuse me ladies! I didn’t see you there. (stands up and sees the handcuffs) Okaaaay.

Wesley:

Xander what are you doing here?

Anya, Dawn and Spike enter finally and Welsey reacts. He reaches behind the counter and raises a cross.

Wesley:

Xander! Look out!

Xander:

(ducks and looks behind him)

What? What’s happening?

Wesley:

Are you blind? It’s Spike. He’s right there!

Xander:

(Standing relaxed)

Oh. Yeah, that’s why we’re here.

Fred:

Who’s Spike?

Spike:

Me apparently.

Xander:

Wesley, (steps over the women and towards Wesley) we’ve got a situation.

Wesley:

Join the club.

Xander:

Sure, would you like to join the Spike has a soul club?

Wesley:

Beg your pardon?

 

 

Cut to Plant

Buffy:

Watch my back.

Gunn:

Got it covered.

Connor:

You’re wasting your time here. Angelus isn’t here.

Buffy:

What did I tell you about calling him that?

Connor:

Even if he has a soul, it doesn’t belong to you.

Buffy falters in her quiet steps but quickly recovers. Gunn shoves Connor from behind in warning. After a few minutes they come upon an empty room. Buffy sees no one in sight and is about to turn around to leave when she sees the look on Connor’s face. He seems in disbelief and unmoving. She follows his lign of sight to a box in the middle of the room.

Buffy:

What is it?

Connor:

It can’t be.

Gunn:

What can’t be?

Buffy starts to step forward and Connor grabs her arm.

Connor:

No! There’s nothing here.

Buffy:

(shakes arm loose and looks at Gunn in a silent signal to stay with him)

Wait here.

She begins to get a sickening feeling in her gut the closer she gets to the box. She knows after only seconds what it is, but her mind won’t accept it. She recognizes the container and swallows down the lump in her throat as her steps slow.

Gunn:

Buffy?

She doesn’t answer and finally reaches the box. She hears something strangely familiar and removes the container. He looks at her and for a split second they forget why they are there as they just look at one another. He’s the first to change just as Gunn calls out.

Gunn:

Look out!

Buffy barely has time to look up before she receives the first blow. The blood flies across the room rolling into the shadows. She falls onto the box with a groan as Angel begins to struggle anew.