A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 15

 

Fade in on Lobby

Connor backs up terrified looking at Angel. He stumbles and almost falls down the stairs. Angel instinctively reaches to catch him.

Connor:

No!

Dawn:

Buffy!

She and Connor knock into each other as they move in opposite directions. Connor rushes out to the atrium.

Buffy:

Give me a sec. (she helps Angel to the round seat and he sits as she faces Dawn) Dawn?

Dawn:

(Hugging her)

I was so scared! I thought he had…wait. (looks at Gunn) I thought you said he was all demony again.

Gunn:

Hey don’t look at me. Last I saw, he wasn’t looking much on the human side. No offense man.

Xander:

Buffy, how can you keep doing this? You always give him the benefit of the doubt. Look at him!

Buffy looks down to see Angel staring at the doors to the atrium. She notices the blood and points it out to Angel.

Buffy:

Maybe you should…

Angel:

(looking down and standing) Yeah. Right. I’ll just go upstairs.

He heads for the stairs and runs into Wesley.

Fred:

(seeing the look between the two offers explanations)

Angel! He’s been helping! He found out what Holtz and Justine did to Connor. Please! I asked him to come.

Angel:

(staring at Wesley)

Then I guess all is forgiven. I mean, what’s being buried at sea, attacked by Mohras, almost killing Buffy and God Knows who else, losing Cordelia, and seeing my son run away from me…again, when you compare that to good old Wes here managing to (glances at Justine) what looks like beat a confession out of some chick. Oh yeah, I’m sure Connor sees the validity that would bring.

Wesley:

I…

Angel:

(interrupting)

Excuse me while I go clean up. Perhaps you could ask yourself if you want to be here when I get back.

He steps around making sure not to touch Wesley again and heads upstairs.

Buffy:

Ok, what was that?

Xander:

You wouldn’t believe it if we told you.

Dawn:

Wesley kidnapped Connor and got his throat slit by Justine here who then turned Connor over to this Holtz guy who took him into a hell dimension, then trained him to hate Angel and brought him back to get revenge on Angel for killing his family and stuff two hundred years ago.

Fred:

She’s a quick study.

Buffy:

And what about the rest?

Dawn:

The rest?

Buffy:

Yeah, like what are you, Xander and Anya doing in LA?

Anya:

Xander did it! He said we had to come.

Buffy:

Xander?

Xander:

It’s a long story really. Well maybe not that long. But I don’t know if you want to hear it right now.

Buffy:

Let me think. I left you to watch Dawn while Willow and Giles went through the tribunal. You then decided for a quick road trip to the one place that I told you I thought there was trouble. No, why would I be interested.

Anya:

It was Spike!

Buffy:

What did you say?

Dawn:

Buffy, something really weird is going on with Spike.

Buffy:

When did he even get back?

Xander:

After you left. He showed up on your doorstep.

Buffy:

And you brought him here? Where is he?

She looks around wildly.

Angel:

(from stairs)

Where’s who?

 

Cut to Street

Willow, Giles and Spike stride down the street purposefully.

Giles:

Has everyone gone mad? First you tell us you can suddenly willingly hit humans with no side effects and can be in direct sunlight, and now Angel has a son? I don’t know which is more preposterous.

Spike:

Call it what you will mate, but its all true. And speaking of preposterous, Red goes big bad in Sunnydale and you take her to some tribunal thing where Cordelia Chase appears as a higher being and sucks the evil right out of her? Oh yeah, my story is unfathomable.

Willow:

Okay, I think we can agree here that major sh…stuff is going on with the former Sunnydale troupe. But Angel? Having a son? And Buffy going to LA? I’m thinking not the best scenario.

Giles:

Which is why we should get to that hotel and pool our resources.

Spike:

You don’t get it. They’ve been there for hours. I listened to them ramble on about all the drama until my ears very nearly bled. There’s a girl who Wesley is using as his personal punching bag, the tall one is googly-eyed over this southern belle with a brain. Xander and Anya keep taking blind stabs at one another thinking no one else can see it. This woman named Lilah who apparently hates Angel with a passion only matched by my own. And the boy, well he’s got more people talking at him than any one bloke should ever have to deal with. He’s likely to snap at any minute. They didn’t even break for a second thought when it was revealed that Buffy was left alone with Angelus.

Giles:

Angelus?

Spike:

Its what it sounded like to me. Friendly with the demons again, Buffy fighting them off. I took it as my cue to take care of it myself.

Willow:

Why do you insist on playing hero to someone who’s not interested? I thought you left Sunnydale to get over it or whatever. Well at least from what I remember. Actually, I don’t remember much about why you left.

Spike:

I didn’t give much information when I left. And I think you were otherwise engaged.

Willow:

Oh…right.

Giles:

How much farther is it Spike?

Spike:

It’s only a bit. But I’m telling you, you’re wasting your time.

Giles:

Humor me. Besides, (looks up at sky) I’m anxious to see that sun on your face.

Spike:

Great. Angelus could be draining her as we speak, and you want me to start on my tan.

 

Cut to Empty Place

Cordelia walks aimlessly until a woman appears in front of her.

Cordelia:

I’m sorry I was so short earlier. I’m ready to learn.

Woman:

Good. That’s why I’m here. They sensed it.

Cordelia:

So how can I help? Who else needs me?

Woman:

Your next battle will be more than you could comprehend now. First there are things you must understand.

Cordelia:

So there’s more tests?

Woman:

No. You have earned your place here. You will be the one to decide the fate of many.

Cordelia:

I will?

Woman:

You have learned of some of your power. The physical gifts you were given. But a reward never comes without a price. For every moment you feel pride and accomplishment, you will feel fear and failure. And when given a choice you will never understand, you must choose blindly, from a place you haven’t yet tapped.

Cordelia:

I’m not getting it.

Woman:

That is because you haven’t seen it. That time has come.

In a slow fade, Cordy feels herself being pulled away. She falls without worry waiting for what’s to come. She sees lights below her feet and then they fade as she moves farther along. Finally she sees land beneath her. After another moment, she recognized the place.

Cordelia:

(smiling big)

Oh my God! They’re sending me home! (looks up) Thank you! Thank you thank you!

She drops onto the lookout just as Angel drives up. She waves excitedly as he pulls closer to her. The headlights blind her and her smile fades as he doesn’t appear to see her.

Cordy:

Angel?

He drives forward until his car moves right through her. She screams out in surprise not pain and looks back as he parks and gets out.

Cordy:

(panicked)

Angel!

 

Cut to Lobby

Angel:

Who’s here?

Gunn:

Spike.

Angel:

What? (looks around) Where’s Connor?

Buffy:

He’s not here for you Angel.

Angel:

How can you be so sure? Why else would he come here? Oh! You think he knows you’re here? Is he still causing trouble back home?

Xander:

You don’t know the half of it.

Buffy:

(pushing on)

Wesley, what did he want from you?

Angel:

I’m going to find my son.

He emphasizes the final words strongly for Wesley’s benefit. The effect isn’t missed by anyone in the room.

Fred:

Angel? Do you think that’s a good idea? The sun’s almost up.

Xander:

Hey, maybe we can send Spike to get him when he gets back!

Buffy:

Not funny Xander.

Xander:

Not meant to be Buffy.

Angel:

What has happened to all of you? I’m the one that was supposed to be driven mad, what’s your excuse?

Xander:

Oh lookie everyone! Angel still has the charming wit. Happy happy, joy joy.

Gunn:

Do you think going after Connor is the best thing right now Angel? He’s kind of had a lot to take in recently.

Angel:

That’s why I have to go. I have to let him know I don’t blame him. I have to make sure he knows that.

Fred:

And you’re sure that’s the case?

Angel:

(snaps)

What’s that supposed to mean?

Buffy:

Hey. Let’s not get excited here.

She steps forward and looks over Angel’s shoulder to see Connor sitting on the bench outside.

Buffy:

Go. You need to do this.

Angel looks at her with meaning beyond words. He nods and touches her arm briefly before heading out the doors.

Wesley:

I’m not sure that was wise Buffy. I know you want to help but…

Buffy:

And your decisions of late have been stellar right?

The group waits for someone to speak.

 

Cut to Atrium

Angel steps cautiously staying under the cover of shade. Connor sits just outside of it creating a literal and metaphorical line in the sand.

Angel:

Connor.

Connor:

(not looking up)

What are you going to do?

Angel:

What do you want me to do? (pauses with no response) I told you before that I would always love you.

Connor:

How did she make you better?

Angel:

Huh?

Connor:

I heard you. I was there.

Angel:

I’m sorry you had to hear me like that.

Connor:

Then you admit, it was the demon. You were the demon.

Angel:

No. I mean yes, the demon was stronger than ever. But that was because…

Connor:

Then you do blame me.

Angel:

No! I didn’t mean…come on, give me a little leeway here. I know how you must feel.

Connor:

(stands up and walks into the sunlight further and turns to face Angel)

I don’t believe what your friend told me! I’ll never believe it. My father loved me! He wouldn’t die just to get back at you!

Angel:

Listen, I don’t understand any of this myself.

Connor:

Answer the question.

Angel:

(frowns)

What question?

Connor:

Even if you weren’t Angelus, if you didn’t kill Holtz. And I put you in that…(swallows) If you had been down there all that time, without food, and desperate. How did she make you better?

Angel:

Connor, it’s not important. The important thing right now is to figure out how to fix this. All of it.

Connor:

You fed.

Angel doesn’t answer right away.

Connor:

That’s where the blood was from. You fed on someone. Was he as good as my father?

Angel cringes at the words.

Angel:

I don’t feed off people. I’ve told you that. And I didn’t feed off Holtz. What will it take for you to believe that?

Connor:

I know what I saw.

Angel:

You saw exactly what he and Justine wanted you to see. They set you up. They set both of us up. If it takes me the rest of your life to understand that, I can wait. But you will know the truth.

Connor:

I will never accept you. Do you understand me, I want to be nothing like you. I’m just food to you.

Angel:

No Connor!

Without thinking, Angel steps towards him and into the sun. Connor sees the smoke rise off his clothes and hollers.

Connor:

Aarrghh!

He rushes Angel pushing him back into the shadows and they tumble against the wall. Angel is too stunned to react at first. Connor jumps off him to stand first. Angel looks up trying to decide why he had pushed him out of the sun.

Angel:

You protected me.

Connor glowers down and kicks Angel hard in the torso.

Connor:

I didn’t. It was just…(pauses) I wasn’t.

Angel stands up and almost smiles at him. Then he looks past him at the gate leading to the back alley.

Angel:

Connor get back in the sun.

Connor:

What?

He turns to see Spike standing on the opposite side of the atrium.

Spike:

Yes Connor. Listen to your father. You should probably get out of the shadows. That’s your father’s territory.

Giles and Willow walk through the gate and see the standoff.

Willow:

Angel!

Angel:

Willow step away from him.

Willow:

(looking at Giles then Spike)

Oh! You don’t…Angel it’s not what you…

Spike:

(Interrupting)

I’ll give you one more shot boy.

Connor cautiously steps into the sunlight.

Angel:

What are you doing here Spike?

Spike:

Don’t worry. I came after Buffy. You and the boy here are just a bonus.

Giles:

Spike, what are you doing?

Angel:

You’re not coming near Buffy or anyone else.

Spike:

Really? And who do you think is going to stop me?

Angel:

I’m assuming that’s rhetorical.

Spike:

Actually it’s not. But since you’re standing there so patient like. Maybe I can answer it for you.

He takes one step and then another until he slips from the shade. Angel’s eyes widen as he watches Spike walk to stand next to Connor and look up into the sun with a smile.

Buffy:

(rushing outside followed by the others)

Angel! I heard a commotion! Is everything al….right?

She forgets what she was saying at the sight before her. Spike looks at her and the smile fades. Connor is looking him up and down trying to make sense of it.

Angel:

(in disbelief)

Spike?

Buffy:

(the same)

Spike?

No one moves.