A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 14

 

Fade in on Lobby

Connor:

I don’t know you.

Wesley:

Come on, sure you do! (Steps towards the landing with a smile and sees Lilah) You’re still here?

Lilah:

Did you expect otherwise?

Wesley:

Actually, I imagined you would have run back to your firm by now with the all the latest.

Lilah:

Kind of hard when you instructed your buddies here to watch me like a hawk as you were going cat-fight on Justine.

Gunn:

Cat-figt? I missed a cat fight?

Fred:

Charles!

Gunn:

Just kidding honey. (saunters over to kiss Fred on the cheek)

Anya:

You two are good together. I can feel it. I had that once.

Wesley:

Just get out.

Anya:

Me?

Lilah:

I think he means me. See our little Wesley here has done quite the turn around. He gets what he needs from you and then expects you to immediately exit stage left. But don’t worry. There’s nothing else I need from you people either. I can do the rest more effectively on my own. (Looks at Connor) Did you find Daddy?

Dawn:

Yes! Why isn’t Buffy with you? Is she with Angel?

Spike makes a strange noise in his throat.

Gunn:

She’s with him. Had to do it on her own. That’s one stubborn slayer.

Wes:

Enough. Lilah, I trust you can let yourself out.

Lilah:

(smiles)

Sure.

She walks past Connor slowly studying him but he averts his eyes. She walks out shutting the door behind her.

Connor:

Where is she?

Wes:

She’s resting. She told me what happened.

Connor:

So?

Wesley:

She told me what really happened.

Connor:

You’re lying like the rest of them.

Wesley:

I’m very different from the rest of them my boy. I’m the one who took you from Angel when you were just an infant.

Connor:

(interested)

Why?

Wes:

I learned of a prophecy. Concerning you and your father. He was destined to kill you. He didn’t know. None of them did. Just I.

Connor:

So you protected me?

Wes:

I tried. But funny thing about protecting. (walks closer) It’s a lot like endangering. You see I had to turn my back on everyone and everything I believed to protect not only you but Angel. I couldn’t let him destroy the one thing that had brought him such happiness. He lived for you Connor. He wanted to be everything to you.

Connor:

But he would have killed me.

Wesley:

(shrugs)

Don’t’ know. I didn’t give him the chance to decide for himself what should be done. I mistakenly trusted Holtz and Justine for a brief but very deadly moment. And that was all it took.

Connor:

For what?

Wesley stands in front of him and tilts his head back to let Connor see the scar.

Wesley:

Quite unattractive I admit. But as reminders go, easily the best one. Every time I look in the mirror for the rest of my life, I will see Justine for what she is. A liar taught by the best. And now you will have a reminder as well.

Connor:

What’s that?

Wesley:

Angel.

Connor starts to say something but Wesley interrupts.

Wesley:

Every time you look at him for the rest of your life, you will be reminded of how you placed your trust in the wrong hands so willingly. And it very well might have cost you a father.

Connor:

It already did.

Wesley:

Spike, will you please go retrieve the woman from my office?

Spike:

I don’t know if I should.

Wesley:

Xander, you go with him. Gunn, you said Buffy was with Angel. I take it he wasn’t well.

Gunn:

As understatements go, that’s fairly huge.

Wes:

I can imagine. (looks at Connor) Can’t you?

Dawn:

I don’t understand what’s happening. What’s wrong with Angel?

Xander:

(walking in carrying Justine)

Wesley, what did you do to her?

Fred:

Oh God.

Spike:

And you all act like I’m some big threat? Take a look at the girl’s face. Well, what you can see of it.

Anya:

Ok, maybe I’m still a little rusty on the vengeance sensing.

Wesley:

Put her down here.

Connor rushes to her side.

Connor:

You’re all crazy!

Wesley walks to retrieve a bottle of water from the mini fridge behind the counter and walks back to open it.

Gunn:

Um, Wesley?

Wesley proceeds to pour it over Justine’s face splashing Connor as well. She finally springs awake and immediately groans from the pain.

Connor:

Are you okay?

Justine:

(Spits water from her mouth) It looks worse than it is. What did you find?

Connor:

He was there. In the plant. With some demon friends of his.

Dawn:

What? There were demons? You left Buffy with Angel and demons?

Gunn:

Not by choice. Didn’t you hear me say she was stubborn?

Xander:

Got ya. Buffy tends to be of the dictator variety when she’s in battle. You were right to listen. He was right and you know it Dawn.

Wesley:

Enough discussion. Justine has something she wants to say.

Everyone looks at her as she stares at Wesley.

Justine:

You’re a bastard. I’m just sorry I didn’t care enough to stick around and watch you bleed.

Connor:

What are you saying?

Wesley:

I told you what she did. She is responsible for you ever being in that hell that you were raised in. And now she’s ensuring you find another hell right here.

Connor looks at Justine and she looks down tiredly.

Justine:

(softly)

I can’t.

Wesley:

Excuse me? Did I hear you say you can’t? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Don’t worry, I can take it from here. Just nod appropriately when asked.

Connor:

What have you done to her?

Wesley:

No, I’m afraid your question should be, what did she do to you? Are you ready to find out?

Fred:

Where did that guy go?

Xander:

Who?

Fred:

The soul guy…Spike or William or whatever.

The group scans the lobby with no sign of him.

 

 

Cut to Street

Giles and Willow are walking quite aimlessly when they see something coming at them in the darkness.

Willow:

What is that?

Giles:

I don’t know. Here, get behind me.

They slow their pace and Willow falls in behind him. Soon the person runs under the street light and Giles sees him.

Giles:

Spike?

Spike:

Giles…Willow?

Giles:

What on earth are you doing here?

Spike:

Going to help Buffy. What else?

Willow:

Buffy’s here?

Spike:

Well yeah. Where have you two been?

Giles:

Its rather a long story actually.

Spike:

Then save it. I have to go.

Giles:

(grabs him by the arm)

wait one minute…

Spike grows angry and pulls his arm loose taking a swing at Giles without thinking. Giles ducks but Spike just pushes past him and runs off into the night.

Willow:

He didn’t feel it! Giles he pushed you and didn’t feel anything!

Giles:

I noticed.

Willow:

How did he do that? Do you think he got the chip out? Oh God, what if he got the chip out and is after Buffy again?

Giles:

(Looks at watch)

Well, looks as if time is on our side. The sun will be up within the hour. So we just have to stall him until then. Or at least make sure Buffy is warned.

The two run off in the direction that Spike left.

 

Cut to Blood bank

Buffy walks the dark halls and reading the different office titles. Finally she reaches the door marked storage and slowly opens the door. It hits an empty blood bag and she pushes it all the way open. Several empty bags litter the floor. She enters cautiously and tries to listen for anything. She walks past the refrigerators and tries to peer into the corners.

Angel:

(from shadow)

Please leave.

Buffy:

(startles and turns to see him huddled under a table against the wall. He’s barely visible)

Angel?

Angel:

Buffy.

Buffy:

Let me help you. Please stop pushing me away.

Angel:

I don’t want you to see me like this. It’s awful.

Buffy:

It’s not your fault. I know that. You have to know that too. This was done to you.

Angel:

It was human Buffy. I knew I should find a meat plant but…I saw this place.

Buffy:

I know. You had to eat. I understand that Angel. I just want to help you.

Angel:

(mumbling)

It’s always you. Why is it always you?

Buffy:

I’m not…I don’t know what you mean Angel. I’m here because I couldn’t be anywhere else.

Angel:

So much has happened. Too much.

Buffy:

It will never be too much. We can never be too much. We’ve faced worse. You can do this.

Angel:

I’m stronger.

Buffy:

(pauses)

That’s good. You need your strength. We have to go though. The sun will be up soon.

Angel:

Didn’t you already do this once? (Buffy frowns in confusion) Trying to get me in from the sun. Protecting me from myself.

Buffy:

This is different. But the risk is the same. We have to go. Have you had enough?

Angel:

I drank it all Buffy.

Buffy’s eyes widen and she scans around the room to see that every bag in the room is empty.

Buffy:

Oh.

Angel:

Just go. You don’t want to be with…you don’t want to help this.

Buffy:

(determinedly)

Angel, did you kill anyone? Did you feed off a warm body? No, you did what you had to because you had no choice. Now you get up and come home with me right now!

She takes a deep breath and waits for some kind of response. After a moment, she hears him moving. Soon he’s standing in front of her. They stare at one another for a moment.

Angel:

Thanks for coming.

Buffy:

(smiles)

That’s better. And you’re welcome. Now lets go.

Angel:

Buffy wait. (She pauses but keeps her back to him) About Connor.

Buffy:

Not now. First we get you out of sun’s way. Then we find Cordelia. Then we can talk.

Angel:

Cordelia.

Buffy:

Yes. The reason you ran out on me earlier? That’s her. We’ll see if she’s back. If not, I’ll help you find her. You’ll see. Everything’s going to be okay very soon. Things will go back to normal.

Angel:

Normal?

Buffy doesn’t answer as she heads out and Angel follows cautiously.

 

Cut to Alley

Giles and Willow hear a ruckus and head into the alley.

Spike:

(holding a man by the collar)

Tell me!

Giles:

Spike!

Spike drops the collar and the man runs off into the night.

Willow:

Ok, I’m thinking not the best time for me to test my magiclessness.

Giles:

Spike, what’s happened to you?

Spike:

That would be the question of the hour mate! Am I vampire? Not quite. Am I a human? Not quite? Do I feed? Don’t know yet. Do I have a soul? Apparently. Can I beat you to a bloody pulp if I want to? I’m thinking yes!

Willow:

Why are you after Buffy? Are you evil again?

Spike:

(laughs)

Boy, you two must have been on another planet not to have heard the news.

Willow:

(shrugs)

Could’ve been.

Spike:

I went to Africa and managed to become less that what I was when I left. But with bonus extras that make no sense! I’m not evil though. And I only want to see Buffy to tell her what’s happened.

Giles:

Perhaps you should stay with us. It will be light soon.

Spike:

I know. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Do you know how long its been since I watched the sunrise? Aside from the time laid out semi-conscious like in the African plains. I can’t bloody wait to feel that bad boy on my face!

Willow:

Giles, I think Spike’s finally lost it. I think he may have finally snapped. What are we going to do?

Giles:

Well aside form the voice screaming in my head to let him fry and be done with it, I assume we should take him to safety.

Spike:

If you’e worried about safety, I’d be leaning more towards that of the Slayer. Seems she’s gone off and stepped in it again. And if you hadn’t scared off my fired earlier, I just might know where to find her.

Giles:

What are you going on about?

Spike:

Alright children, one more time for the slow. Buffy went to find Angel. She found Angel only he was making friends again with the demon lot. Buffy was fighting them alone when they left her.

Willow:

When who left her?

Spike:

The tall one and the boy.

Giles:

More please?

Spike:

(frowns and tries to think)

Gunn! Yeah Gunn and Angel’s boy Connor.

Willow:

Angel’s boy?

Spike:

Yeah, his son. Angel has a son who apparently isn’t too proud of papa.

Willow and Giles look at one another in disbelief.

 

 

Cut to Lobby

Xander:

I can’t believe we just let him leave!

Anya:

It wasn’t like it was on purpose. He slipped out. What could we do?

Dawn:

He must have left to help Buffy. He heard what she said about the demons and went after them.

Xander:

Fine. You know what? Its fine. Spike will either find them and be pummeled by one or both or actually offer some help. I’m thinking its not too bad either way. Its not like he has to worry about the sun anymore.

Wesley:

Fine, until them, we should get this over with.

Connor:

You said she did something to me.

Wesley:

Yes Connor. She was in it with Holtz the whole time. They knew you would react. Holtz raised you for it. He knew for years what he would do. And it went perfectly.

Connor:

You don’t know anything.

Wesley:

Actually I do. Thanks to Chatty Kathy over here. (smirks) You see you wanted to punish the one who killed your father. You wanted to destroy Angelus, the Angelus that you were taught about all your life. You only needed the right trigger. And Justine here was the one holding the gun.

Justine looks down trying to avoid Connor’s gaze.

Justine:

(softly)

It wasn’t my idea.

Connor:

What wasn’t?

Fred:

It was Justine?

Wesley:

Oh yes, it was Justine. But she would never have thought up something like this on her own. As usual she was just following orders. She was listening blindly to the man who she placed all her faith in.

Gunn:

Holtz.

Wesley:

Connor, I know what you had to do. You didn’t want him coming back. If he had been turned, you couldn’t let him come back like the rest. He taught you that didn’t he? Made you promise that if it ever came down to it, you would ensure he never came back. And you did. You stayed true to your word.

Anya:

I don’t understand. What is he talking about?

Connor:

(mumbles)

He would have done it for me.

Wesley:

Of course. After all he’d done it once before to his daughter.

Connor:

Yes! After Angelus turned her! I wouldn’t let him be like him.

Wesley:

So you decapitated him.

Fred gasps and Gunn puts an arm around her shoulder.

Wesley:

By decapitation, by fire. You had to be sure. What that must have been like. I’m so sorry.

Connor:

No you’re not. If you were, you wouldn’t have done this.

Wesley:

I did what I had to do Connor. You should understand that. I had to find the truth and make sure it was indeed the truth. And I did.

Connor:

What truth are you talking about?

Wesley:

Tell him Justine.

Justine stays silent.

Wesley:

You will tell him right now or I will tell him myself and let him have you.

Justine:

You promised. (moans) You said you’d protect me.

Wesley:

I said I wouldn’t let you die if you told him the truth.

Connor:

What are you saying Justine? What is he talking about?

He bends in front of her and she meets his eyes finally.

Justine:

(taking a deep breath and closing her eyes)

Angelus didn’t kill your father.

Connor:

Then it was Angel. He did it with a soul.

Justine:

(shakes head)

No. he didn’t do it. He never touched him.

Wesley:

And what of the wounds in his neck?

Justine:

They were fakes. He bled to death from them, but they weren’t from teeth and they weren’t from Angel.

Connor:

Then who? (yells and shakes her by the shoulders) Who?

Justine:

You don’t understand. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. We were going to be a family.

Wesley:

Stop stalling Justine. The boy asked you a question.

Justine:

(whispers)

It was me. He made me kill him.

Connor pauses for a second and then throws her backwards hard causing her to hit her head.

Connor:

No!

Fred:

Oh my God.

Gunn:

She killed Holtz?

Xander:

This isn’t going to be good. I can feel it.

Dawn:

Who’s Holtz?

Wesley:

I know its hard to imagine Connor, but this is the truth. You were deceived horribly, even more so than I.

Connor:

No! (yells) You’re lying! You’re all lying!

He turns to rush out of the room and heads for the doors leading into the atrium. He swings them open and stops dead in his tracks. The others turn to see and all stare in shock.

Angel is standing face to face with his son leaning on Buffy slightly. There is dried blood on his chest from when he was guzzling. Connor looks at him and begins to back up in fear. Buffy sees the rest of the group in the room.

Buffy:

Xander? Dawn? Anya? What are you…?

Angel:

Hello son.