A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 17

 

Fade in on Atrium

Angel:

Help me out here Willow. Cause I’m lost.

Willow:

That’s why I wanted to talk to you alone. I don’t think you will be for long.

Angel:

Just say it.

Willow:

First I have a question.

Angel:

I’m sure I don’t have an answer but go ahead.

Willow:

What’s going on with you and Cordelia?

Cut to Office

Buffy:

(pulls arm loose and creates some distance)

What is going on with you?

Spike:

I was going to ask you the same thing.

Buffy:

What does that mean?

Spike:

I come back to find you’ve gone chasing after Angel? Come on Pet, I thought you were past that.

Buffy:

First off, don’t call me that and secondly, it’s none of your business who I chase. Although that’s not whats happening here. Angel was in trouble.

Spike:

Of course he was. Well he looks fine to me so I’d say your work here is done.

Buffy:

My work is far from done thanks to you.

Spike:

What is that? I’ve done nothing wrong! Do you have any idea what I went through for…

Buffy:

(interrupting)

Don’t say it! I couldn’t handle you saying your new soul was for me.

Spike:

Why can’t I ever do anything right by you?

Buffy:

Why do you make everything about the fantasy you created that is us.

Spike:

Why do I even bother.

Buffy:

Good question. (then softens) Spike, what happened to you? How is this even possible?

Spike:

(turns away)

I don’t have all the answers I’m afraid. I never expected this…I never expected a soul.

Buffy:

So what did you expect?

Spike:

You’d never understand.

Buffy:

Try me.

Cut to Atrium

Angel:

(turns back to Willow)

Don’t ask me that Willow.

Willow:

Why not? Cause right now, I’m making up my own answers and I really don’t like what I’m getting.

Angel:

It’s complicated. You wouldn’t understand. I’m not even sure I do.

Willow:

Try me.

Cut to Empty Place

Cordy:

What good am I to you like this? (She speaks out loud to no one in particular) To anyone? Waste of a higher being if you ask me.

Flash of Angel

Cordy:

How can I not consider him in my decisions? He’s my best friend! Do you know I never had one of those before? Not ever! (looks down) I was Queen C, most popular girl in Sunnydale High, people wanted to be me. They wanted to be liked by me. But not once did I have a real best friend. It was either superficial or mixed up in some boy-girl drama, but never someone that I could call and tell everything to. I couldn’t. They would only judge.

Another flash of her and Angel talking

Cordy:

(softly)

He never did. I did horrible things back then, but when he saw me here, he never mentioned it. He accepted me and he was my friend. No hidden agenda. No strings attached. Just my friend.

She starts pacing again.

Cordy:

So yeah! I consider him when something life altering happens! Cause that’s what friends do! And now, just when I finally realized…but you took it away! I saved Willow. I jumped right in and cleared her out. Not a pretty picture as I’m sure you know inside that girl but I took it on cause I wanted to help. But I’m still not good enough. What else can I do to prove myself to you?

She stops frustrated and almost tears up again but wipes her eyes before they can fall. No response comes.

Cut to hideout

Fred:

Lorne! (cries out with a smile and rushed to give him a hug)

Lorne:

Hey! Whoa! Now that’s what I call a hello! I should leave suddenly more often.

Fred:

(backing up)

What are you doing here? And not just LA but here?

Lorne:

Hi Gunn. How’s it hanging?

Gunn:

Gonna leave that one alone.

Lorne:

Right, good idea. So where’s the party?

Gunn:

Party?

Lorne:

Yeah, the PTb sent me a knock your socks off kind of reading only there wasn’t anyone around to read if you get my drift.

Gunn:

Not really.

Lorne:

I got major vibage calling out from LA and didn’t even collect my tips before I high tailed it back. (shakes head) I tell ya, my sets in Vegas have been all the rage.

Fred:

You’re singing?

Lorne:

Well sugar, can you see me doing anything else?

Fred:

Good point.

Gunn:

Ok, feeling the catch up and all guys, but Fred, we need to get moving. Lorne, we’re on a Connor hunt. Care to join?

Lorne:

(smile fades)

Didn’t I tell him not to turn his back? I swear you guys just kept me around for my good looks didn’t you? Cause no one ever listened to a word I said.

Fred:

Yes we did! But Connor fooled us all. Hey, how did you know about Connor?

Lorne:

(looks from Fred to Gunn)

Didn’t I mention the lack of socks courtesy of the PTB? Reading? Warning? Message form the upper echelon if you will? (pauses) I must be better looking than I thought.

Gunn:

Alright we get it. Lets just find Connor and get back to the hotel. Hopefully, they’ll know something about Cordy by then.

Lorne:

Cordy?

Fred pulls Lorne by the arm without answering.

Cut to Hotel

Wes and Xander walk down the hall cautiously listening for a repeat of the earlier noise.

Xander:

Leave it to Angel to set up shop in the place with hundreds of hiding places for all his enemies.

Wesley:

Sshhh.

Xander mimics Wesley from behind and twirls the stake in his hand.

Wesley:

(whispering)

There! There it is again!

Xander:

It’s coming from in there. (points to a closed door)

They stop in front of the door. Wesley motions for Xander to be ready to strike when he opens the door. Counting to 3 on his fingers, he swings the door open and they both raise their weapons.

The man on the other side of the door sees this and stumbles backwards to aoid th blows. His feet tangle and he falls on his butt.

Xander:

(looks down)

Uh-oh.

Wesley:

Giles?

Giles stands haughtily.

Giles:

Are you both mad?

Xander:

(dropping the stake)

It’s Wesley’s fault!

Wesley:

(surprised)

Beg your pardon?

Xander:

He heard a noise and I just came for back up. We thought you were a…well we didn’t actually know, but no one was supposed to be up here. Why are you up here?

Wesley:

I didn’t see you slip upstairs.

Giles:

I wasn’t slipping anywhere! I was looking for a bloody bathroom. Next time I’ll make sure and announce it to all.

Wesley:

I do apologize. But surely you can understand.

Giles:

Certainly. I understand that we’re all a bit on edge. I however didn’t feel the need to bear arms.

Wesley:

(looks at sword)

Then you’re off your game.

Xander:

Alright, enough with the watcher-ma-role. Let’s get back downstairs and check on…

Giles:

What was that?

The three wait for a second and hear another thump.

Wesley:

It’s coming from another floor up. But that’s the burned wing.

Xander:

Burned wing? Why is it burned?

Wesley:

Fire is usually the culprit.

Xander:

Oh Giles look! Wesley makes jokes now!

Giles:

(ignoring Xanders sarcasm)

So we go upstairs then.

Wesley:

I think so.

Xander:

Great. We’re like the three musketeers of the LA hellmouth otherwise known as Angel’s house.

Giles:

Xander shut up and give me a weapon.

Xander:

Yeah, cause I’m a walking surplus.

Wesley:

Take mine. I’m familiar with this place moreso than the two of you.

The three proceed down the hall.

Cut to Office

Spike:

I left to find a way to fix what I had done. I hated what loving you had done to me.

Buffy:

Maybe because deep down you know I was right.

Spike:

Shut up! I’m not the same man you met all those years ago.

Buffy:

You’re right. I didn’t meet a man then. I met an evil creature out to wreak as much havoc as possible.

Spike:

But that wasn’t me! I’ve changed. And now I have a soul Buffy! I’m no different than…

Buffy:

You say his name and I’ll rip your heart out. Soul or not. (they look at one another for a second) You are nothing like him Spike.

Spike:

No! And I don’t bloody well want to be. But I’m not less than him Buffy! And you can’t say otherwise.

Buffy:

Fine. You’re equal to Angel because you’ve got a soul. That’s what you’re saying. So let me ask you a question.

Spike:

Anything.

Buffy:

What about all the people you killed?

Cut to empty Place

Cordy:

(dejected)

I don’t know what else to say.

V.O.:

Perhaps then, it is time for you to see.

Cordy startles at the voice and then finds herself looking down at Willow and Angel in the atrium.

Cordy:

It’s him.

Cut to Atrium

Angel:

We don’t have time for all this Willow. Connor’s missing, Buffy and the others are waiting, not to mention Spike and his new sun protecting soul.

{Cordy: Buffy? Spike? Soul?}

Willow:

Fine. Maybe its none of my business. But I saw her Angel. I saw Cordelia and she’s so different.

Angel:

A lot’s happened. She’s been through a lot.

Willow:

I figured. But she’s strong. And she’s powerful. She doesn’t even know just how much.

Angel:

So that’s where she is. Getting stronger? And then she’ll be back.

Willow:

(looks down)

Um…well…it’s kind of…I mean, its complicated.

Angel:

How so?

{Cordy: Come on Willow. He’ll understand. Just tell him.}

Willow:

I did some horrible things back home. Long story, but it was bad. Like giving Angelus a run for his money bad.

Angel raises an eyebrow but stays silent.

Willow:

And I guess Cordelia was just learning what she was capable of, but then she got pulled out early.

Angel:

Early?

Willow:

(takes breath)

Angel it was all my fault. Cordy leaving suddenly, it was because fo me. They wanted her to be the one to save me, she had to be the one. So They took her. She wasn’t ready and I know you weren’t but They took her and now she might not get to come back for a very long time. (pauses-then quietly) If ever.

Angel:

What was that? Did you say if ever? Willow, are you telling me that we might never see Cordelia again?

Cut to Hotel

Wesley, Giles and Xander have followed the intermittent sounds upstairs and half way down the hall.

Wesley:

It can’t be.

Giles:

What? What do you hear?

Wesley:

It’s not what, it’s where.

Xander:

Is that some secret watcher code that I’m not supposed to understand? Cause if so…(raises both hands)two thumbs up!

Wesley:

This is the place. This was Connor’s room when he was an infant. It was destroyed. The signs.

Giles:

Signs? What signs Wesley?

Wesley:

Signs of the prophecy. Or what I thought was a prophecy.

Xander:

So who would be in there now?

Wesley:

I can only think of one person. Xander, go get Angel. Giles you better go with him. Might want to let the others know.

Giles:

I don’t understand.

Wesley:

No disrespect Giles, but its not my duty to explain. Now please just go get Angel!

Xander:

Now you’ve done it. Giles, you gonna let him talk to you like that?

Giles looks at Wes for a moment before turning to push a stunned Xander down the hall.

Wesley opens the door. He sees him sitting in the barren room.

Wesley:

Hello Connor.

Connor:

Get out.

Welsey:

I’m afraid I can’t do that.

Connor:

(looks at him)

He took care of me here.

Wes:

Yes, yes he did.

Connor:

He saved me from the fire.

Wesley:

Yes. There was an earthquake and a fire. You were but an infant. How can you remember?

Connor:

I don’t, I feel it. He loved me.

Wesley:

Yes Connor he did. He does.

Connor:

And you took me away.

Wesley hears the change in his tone and takes a step back.

Wesley:

I made a mistake.

Connor:

I would never have been in that place. Raised to kill. Raised to hate. If it weren’t for you.

Wesley:

I thought I was protecting you.

Connor:

You didn’t though. You ruined everything. For all of us. You destroyed us. (He steps closer to Wes)

Wesley:

Connor, what you’re feeling…it’s

Connor lashes out and delivers a left hook immediately drawing blood from the busted lip. Wes almost falls but steadies himself.

Welsey:

Connor…

Connor:

No!

He lunges and they both tumble to the ground in a tangle.

Cut to Office:

Spike:

What do you mean? They’re dead. What am I supposed to feel?

Buffy:

If you have to ask that that’s my answer.

Spike:

Why? Because I’m not all mopey and broody like Angel! I never came close to the sickness and perversion that was Angelus in his heyday Love. If that’s what attracted you then I read you wrong.

Buffy:

Oh, so the things you did aren’t worth mentioning right? Killing two slayers, two chosen ones, hunting them down just for the sport, that’s nothing?

Spike:

I’m starting to remember why I left in the first place. I can’t believe I actually thought the total screw up that happened in Africa would ever…

Buffy:

Ever what Spike? What? You thought I’d see you with a soul and realize how much we were meant to be? I’m a slayer. You’re a vampire. I think I already figured out the helplessness there. And if that’s all you’ve learned after regaining a soul, then something really is wrong.

Giles:

(swinging door open)

Buffy! Something’s wrong!

Cut to Atrium

Willow:

That’s not all Angel. The reason I wanted to talk to you alone. The reason I asked about you and Cordelia. Well, I have a message for you.

Angel:

Message? From Cordy?

Willow:

She wanted me to make sure you understood the truth.

Angel:

And what is that?

{Cordy: Tell him Willow. Just tell him before…}

Xander:

(running outside)

Angel! Upstairs now!

{Cordy: Xander? Of course. It would have to be Xander wouldn’t it?}

Angel:

What are you yelling about?

Xander:

(out of breath)

Wesley! Upstairs! Connor’s room.

Angel doesn’t wait for anymore. He forgets everything and runs into the lobby. Buffy sees him rushing upstairs as she exits the office. She glances to the others briefly before heading after him.

Xander:

Aw, look. It’s just like old times.

Cut to room upstairs

Wesley is fighting for his life as he is tossed about the room by the deceivingly small young man.

Connor:

(yelling)

If he was meant to kill me, then you should have let him! (tosses him again) Then I would have never known Holtz! I wouldn’t have ended up like this!

Angel rushes down the hallway and recognizes the voice. He stops to listen.

Connor:

It’s your fault! I have no one now! And it’s because of you!

Buffy comes up behind Angel watching from the doorway. Glancing in she sees what’s happening and starts to intervene.

Angel:

(barring her entrance)

No.

Cut to motel

Gunn:

I’m all out of ideas.

Fred;

Maybe we should head back. It’ll be dark soon.

Lorne:

Maybe we should ask them.

He points down an alley and the others look. Lilah and Justine are talking next to a dumpster. Lilah hands Justine something and smiles. Justine walks away. Lilah turns to see her audience.

Lilah:

(walking towards them)

Well aren’t you the sleuthy ones? How’d you find me?

Gunn:

Followed the trail of slime.

Lilah:

That’s good. Just this side of funny even.

Fred:

What were you doing with Justine?

Lilah:

Oh her? What can I say? Being handcuffed to someone begs for bonding.

Lorne:

You bonded? I didn’t think you had it in you.

Lilah:

And I didn’t think such quick revenge would be possible. Looks like dreams really do come true Folks. I’m off to Disneyland.

She smiles and backs away as a group of burly men and demons swarm from every direction.

Lilah:

(calling form several yards away)

When will you learn? Not having backup? Always the wrong move.

She smiles one last time and turns to walk away. Gunn, Lorne, and Fred stand back to back to back with no means of escape.