A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 19

 

Fade in on Lobby in dark

Wesley:

(whispering excitedly)

Everyone drop low! Stay as close to the ground as possible.

Giles rushes to Dawn and pulls her down to her knees beside him. Anya, Fred and Willow all drop and settle with their backs against the counter. Wesley rolls off the seat and heads for the weapons cabinet. Connor is already there. They pause looking at one another and Connor hands Wesley a weapon. Wesley nods in acknowledgement, takes it and sees Connor move with amazing speed across the room to the lobby doors.

Wesley:

Giles! Come arm yourself!

Giles:

Dawn, can you scoot over to the girls?

Dawn:

Yeah.

Giles:

I’ll get something and bring it to you. In the meantime, hide behind the counter and don’t make a sound until you’re given the all clear. Understood?

Dawn nods and begins low crawling as a strange noise begins from outside. Connor turns back as Giles and Wesley prepare strategy. Connor motions for them to cover the atrium door and they follow his direction without question. Giles slides a broad sword across the floor. The noise startles the girls and Willow leans out from behind the counter to grab it.

Anya:

That’s it? That’s all we get for the four of us?

Willow:

We won’t even need it. If Giles and Wesley don’t take care of it soon, Buffy and Angel will be back any minute.

Fred:

But they don’t know we need them. We never called remember?

Dawn:

Who is it? What could be after us?

Anya:

Well it’s not like we’ve just got the Slayer’s enemies to choose from, now we’ve involved every undead and demon thing that Angel has gone and pi**ed off!

Willow:

Sshh! I can’t hear anything with all your gabbing. Just calm down and wait.

Fred:

I do that a lot here.

Dawn:

Join the club.

 

Cut to LA Street

Skip:

Well this is interesting.

Angel:

What?

Skip:

You don’t see her do you?

{Cordy: What do you mean they don’t see me? I’m right here!}

Skip:

I know that but they don’t.

Buffy:

We don’t what?

Spike:

Yep, you must be a friend of Angel’s.

Skip:

I don’t think I like your implication.

Xander:

Can’t say as I blame you.

{Cordy: Skip! Tell him! Tell them I’m right here! (She hits him in the arm and he jerks)}

Skip:

(turning to face Cordy but to the others-no one)

Would you stop hitting me? I know I look like I’m made of steel, but I have feelings you know!

Buffy looks at Angel and he shrugs.

Angel:

(tentatively)

Skip? (pauses) Skip!

Skip:

(startles)

What is it now?

He sees the four looking at him like he’s crazy and then glares at Cordelia. She walks away from him to stand beside Angel.

Skip:

Sorry. She’s something else. (To Angel) You’ve got your hands full with that one.

Angel:

Cordy?

Skip:

Who else? They’ve got a special place for you for that one.

Xander:

Um, I think the word’s hell.

Spike laughs but Angel and Buffy glare at Xander murderously.

Angel:

Skip, you said Cordy’s here?

{Cordy: (standing next to him and leans to within an inch of his ear to scream as loud as she can) I’M RIGHT HERE YOU BIG LUG!}

Skip:

(suppressing a smile at Angel’s non-reaction)

Um…yeah, she’s here. They sent us.

Buffy:

They?

Skip:

The Powers That Be.

Spike:

Powers That Be? But you said you were a demon guide. What kind of demon works for the Powers That Be?

Angel/{Cordy}:

Hello?

Xander:

Did you guys hear something?

Buffy:

(frowns)

Hear what?

Xander pauses and then shakes his head.

Xander:

Nothing.

{Cordy: (To Skip) Did he just hear me?}

Skip:

Not supposed to.

Angel:

Not supposed to what?

Skip:

Not you. I was talking to Cordy.

Buffy:

Just now? She can hear us?

Skip:

Of course. She’s got the power. Kind of omniscient in a sense. She can go places that humans can’t.

Spike:

No humans you say? So…

Xander:

Cordelia’s not human? (To Angel) What did you do?

Angel:

Are you serious?

Xander:

Well since you got a taste of Buffy it must have been tough, so maybe Cordy was just around one hungry night too many.

Buffy/{Cordy}:

Shut up!

Xander:

(holds finger up)

Now I know someone heard that!

Spike:

Are you going off your rocker? Hey Angel, if he’s gone loopy does that mean fresh juice for a vamp with a soul?

Buffy starts to punch Spike but he catches her hand in his.

Spike:

(smiling)

Just kidding! Geez, I see even with a soul, no one gets my humor.

Xander:

I’m not crazy. I’m hearing an echo.

Skip:

It’s Cordelia.

Xander:

Excuse me?

Skip:

Both times. Cordy said the same thing as they did and you heard it.

Angel:

Cordy’s talking to Xander? Why is Cordelia talking to Xander and not me?

{Cordy: Please tell me you’re not going there about Xander. It’s Xander, Angel!}

Skips laughs again and Buffy grows frustrated.

Buffy:

Alright, what is up? If Cordy’s here, why won’t she show herself?

{Cordy: Like I have a…oh Skip.}

Skip:

What?

{Cordy: The hotel. It’s bad. You have to tell her.}

Skip:

Tell who what?

{Cordy: (Closing eyes to concentrate) Vision. Buffy needs to go. All of them.}

Skip:

Cordy’s having a vision. Buffy needs to go. All of them.

Angel:

Who?

Skip:

(looks away and keep repeating Cordy’s words)

Hotel’s dark. Can’t see. Hear fighting. It’s bad.

Buffy:

Angel?

She looks but sees that Angel has already dialed the phone.

Angel:

(after a moment)

No answer.

{Cordy: So now you doubt my visions? I’m gone for a while and you don’t believe my visions? Oh you are so in trouble when you can see me!}

Xander:

What about Anya?

{Cordy: GO!}

Xander:

I’m going!

Buffy:

What?

Xander:

(puzzled)

You said…(looks around) never mind. We have to get back.

Spike:

Since when do you decide?

Xander:

(with deadly tone)

Since about the time that one friend almost got raped, one went to the dark side, my ex fiancé went vengeance again and my highschool ex became invisible non human girl! So move your (mimics) ARSE!

Angel:

Did he just say one almost got…?

Buffy:

No time.

Skip:

(calls after the group racing away)

We’ll just catch up with you there!

Cordy:

Ok, how weird is Xander?

Skip:

Compared to?

Cordy:

So let’s go. We have to make sure everyone is safe.

Skip:

And why?

Cordy:

What do you mean why? Because they’re my friends!

Skip:

(smiles proudly)

Small steps then. But the right direction. We’ll get you ready yet.

Cordy:

I don’t even want to know what that means.

Skip:

Fine so do it.

Cordy:

Do what?

Skip:

This is your world. If you want to go somewhere, then you have to do it for yourself.

Cordy:

No problem.

She starts to take a step but instead begins to glow.

Cordy:

Skip…?

 

Cut to Hotel

Connor crouches as the first one comes through the door. In the dark its hard to make out who or what but he attacks. He reaches out and spins so the intruder is covering his back from behind. He bends forward as if to flip him over his back and head but instead jerks harshly and the crack of its neck is heard through out the lobby. One of the girls cries out in shock and then is silent. Connor hears it as the body falls at his feet.

Wesley:

How did he know it was an enemy?

Giles:

I don’t think he did. But the lights and phones can’t be a coincidence.

Lorne:

They never are.

Wesley and Giles startle and draw in a ragged breath at Lorne’s sudden appearance.

Wes:

(whispering loudly)

Good Lord Lorne! Where did you come from?

Lorne:

I slipped over to the back window to see if I could make anything out.

Giles:

And?

Lorne:

And, we have four univited guests advancing through the atrium that I could count.

Wesley and Giles look at the door which they are guarding. Wesley turns to see Connor placing a pole through the door handles of the lobby doors. He heads over to the men on the floor.

Connor:

Only four.

Wesley:

How did you hear?

Lorne:

He’s his father’s son.

Giles:

Oh.

Wesley:

Did you recognize what they were?

Connor:

Nothing that existed in my old world. Just another evil for this one.

Wesley:

Right then. So four of them, four of us. Not a problem.

The doors burst open and knocks Giles unconscious immediately. Wesley front tucks out of the way as Connor stands defiantly. Lorne scoots silently into the shadow watching Connor. The four intruders enter and part in the middle. Soon Connor is facing the cause of their trouble.

Gavin:

Hello Connor.

Connor:

Who are you?

Gavin:

We have a friend in common.

Connor:

I have no friends.

Gavin:

That is unfortunate. Perhaps I can help with that.

Connor:

I don’t want your help.

Wesley:

(stepping forward)

What are you doing here?

Gavin:

I guess I could ask you the same thing. Although seeing as you’re still alive, I guess I have my answer. Did they welcome you back Welsey? Oh wait, are those bruises on your face?

Wesley:

Just wanted to make you feel included.

Gavin:

Really? So that was a threat then? Pity. Gentlemen?

The four demons begin to advance and Connor is the first to attack. He withdraws a star blade from his footwear and inpales the first in the neck. It drops instantly. The second connects at Connors chest and Connor flies backwards. Wesley comes forward and swings a battle axe hitting his first mark. The head rolls across Gavins expensive shoe.

The third emerges and raises a hand toward Wesley. He finds himself lifted off the ground by something supernatural. He feels his windpipe being crushed from the inside and makes a gargling sound. From behind the counter something crashes and Willow stands to look at what’s happening. She raises her own hand and realizes she has no power.

Dawn:

Willow! What are you doing?

Willow:

Not what I thought I would.

She looks around and grabs a heavy book from behind the counter. She takes aim and throws it. It finds it’s mark exactly and Wesley is released to the floor in a heap. Connor has recovered by now and rushes forward. Before the beast can raise an arm to lift Connor as he did Wesley, Lorne lunges from his corner and tackles it at the feet. Gavin seems surprised and looks to the last one.

Willow:

Only one left guys. Come on, help me throw these! It’s about time we got some other use out of them!

Anya, Dawn and Fred all stand up and begin hurling the books as fast as they can. Giles finally arises in the commotion. He sees Wesley and crawls to help him.

The beast is hit by only a couple before he closes his eyes and the projectiles all stop in midair. The girls watch in amazement and stop throwing. Connor sees what power he’s up against and decides against attacking. Giles and Wesley take position behind him and Lorne rolls away from Gavin to stop beside the men and stand at Connor’s side.

Gavin:

You don’t know what you’re up against here children.

Wesley:

Let me guess, it’s a great power. One of Wolfram and Hart’s pet projects I’m sure.

Gavin:

Close. But not quite. See, I’m not like Lilah. I’m not interested in getting to know my enemies. I’m only interested in knowing what it will take to destroy them. Angel was my firm’s number one priority for some time, and now I find out that he may not be what we thought he was at all.

Giles:

What are you saying?

Gavin:

I’m saying that having Lilah call one of our own informants to answer your questions was quite the faux paus. You see he was a Wachigne. They can see things no one else is able because they are places no one can occupy.

Fred:

This is about that Spike.

Dawn:

Spike?

Gavin:

Wachignie are created out of energy. All energies. Good, evil and all points in between. They can read all types from all places. Comes in handy for us at the firm.

Wesley:

So you think what Lilah did. That Spike may be who the prophecies have been talking about all along.

Gavin:

I told you, I’m nothing like Lilah. I don’t think anything. I wait until I know. Like all women, her emotions are her downfall. She got too close. As you well know.

Giles:

What is he…Wesley?

Connor:

Why are you here?

Gavin:

Back to the point. I like that. Good for you.

He nods at the last thing next to him and it raises its arm. Connor is lifted and begins to struggle against the invisible grip.

Fred:

Hey! You can’t just lift people up for no reason!

Gavin:

Oh he has a reason. I always have a reason.

The things raises its other arm and without warning Dawn is lifted as well.

Willow:

Dawnie!

Dawn and Connor both try to speak but neither can force words out. As the two get closer, Gavin smiles and begins to back out the door. Giles and Welsey both search for a way to free them. By now the first beast has risen and takes protective watch over his comrade controlling the boy and girl.

Welsey:

(panicked)

What are they doing? Where are you taking them?

A spinning dagger flies through the air and buries itself in the chest of the one holding Connor and Dawn. They drop in pain and the beast looks at his chest in confusion as the ooze comes from the wound.

Buffy:

I’m thinking nowhere.

Gavin’s eyes narrow as he looks across the room at Buffy and Angel standing side by side on the landing. The barricade is gone and Xander and Spike are in flanking positions.

Anya:

Xander!

Xander:

Anya.

Gavin:

It is in your best interest to let me do my work.

Angel:

Your work has never been in my best interest.

Angel and Buffy rush forward as the last beast prepares to use his power. He raises one arm and Giles removes it with his sword in an instant. Angel hurdles the group including Connor and kicks Gavin in the face. Buffy finishes off the armless one and turns to help Angel.

Angel:

(picking up the barely conscious Gavin by the collar)

You ever come near my son or my family again, I’ll kill you. And don’t say I won’t. I’m tired of you and Lilah taking advantage of my soul.

Gavin:

(smirks)

Especially since you might not even be the one we want.

He drops him and steps back.

Angel:

What does that mean?

Gavin:

(standing slowly and dusting himself off. Then blotting at the blood on his lip)

The boy is still a priority. That won’t change until we know who and what he is. But he might not be near as important if the scroll wasn’t referring to you.

Angel:

Three years and you suddenly decide that I’m not the chosen one?

Gavin:

Three years and we suddenly find there’s another vampire with a soul. Tends to gray things up.

Buffy and Angel look at one another and then at Spike.

Spike:

(smiling)

So you’re saying I could be the important one in this scenario? Like maybe all this talk about Angel being special and such, it should have been me all along?

Angel:

You don’t even know what he has yet. Or else you wouldn’t be here. But why the kids?

Gavin:

Leverage. Have you learned nothing in your time in LA? It’s all about who has the best leverage. I knew I would get someone to use tonight, and usually the young ones are the most protected? Not to mention one is the child of two vampires.

A strange sound comes from Buffy.

Gavin:

Does it sting a bit? Don’t worry. Mum’s long gone. At least the one who carried him that is.

Buffy seems baffles by this comment and looks to Angel.

Angel:

Get out. And take your friends with you.

Gavin:

Don’t think so. No time. But if you ever want to find out if you will indeed sanshu, you might want to rethink your allies.

He leaves through the atrium and everyone starts to meet in the middle of the room.

Giles:

Lights?

Angel:

I checked outside. The lines were cut.

A stream of light appears over Angel and Buffy is the first to notice.

Buffy:

Angel?

Angel:

What?

The light grows until a bright white light fills the room.

The Sunnydale gang each take turns calling out exclamations of wonder. The LA gang remains silent.

Buffy:

(shielding eyes)

What is that?

Angel:

(calmly)

It’s Cordelia.