A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 20

 

Fade in on Lobby of Hyperion

Blinding white light completely obscures everyone's

vision. Fred,

Willow, Anya and Dawn are behind the counter with eyes

closed against the brightness. Wesley, Giles, Connor

and Lorne use their hands as shields over their eyes

trying to make out what's happening. Connor already

knows. Buffy having heard Angel's words looks on in

disbelief. Spike and Xander stare as if in a trance into the center of the room. Angel takes a step down off the landing heading towards the center of the

room. Finally, the light begins to dissapate and before

everyone's eyes, Cordelia appears with the golden glow surrounding her body. She sees Angel first and they stare for a moment. Then she turns silently and seems to glide to the round seat in the middle of the room where Gunn had stayed in the midst of Gavin's visit. He was still weak from the beating he took from the beasts in the alley. She smiles at him as he looks at her in amazement.

Cordy:

Cool huh?

Gunn:

Cordelia?

She doesn't answer and instead places both hands on either side of his

face. Some kind of energy is visible and then she stands. Gunn sits up straighter, immediately stronger than before. He glances across the room at Fred and she smiles.

Angel:

Cordy?

Cordy turns to smile and opens her mouth when suddenly the lights come on in the hotel and she begins to fade. She glances around her quickly and looks back at Angel and then the others.

Cordy:

Skip!

Angel frowns at her words and tries to reach out to

her.

Angel:

Cordelia!

Cordy:

(sees Willow)

Willow please!

Just as Angel reaches her she disappears and the room falls silent.

Skip:

Was that cool or what?

Willow and Dawn scream out in surprise at his sudden appearance.

Skip:

(rubbing his ears)

Geez! What's with the high pitched?

Angel:

Skip, what the hell is going on?

Skip:

I told you she was here.

Buffy:

(stepping down)

You told us she was back in the alley. Then she shows up all glo-worm for

a minute only to vanish again. Is this her having some fun with us or what?

Skip:

She's not having fun believe me.

Xander:

Willow, why did she ask you please?

Angel:

You never told me. What haven't you told me Willow?

Willow:

It's not the best time right now I don't think.

Angel:

I'm tired of the stalling Willow! That's not how we do things here. Now tell me what you know!

He sounds almost threatening as he takes a step towards the counter.

Buffy:

(placing a hand on his arm)

Don't.

Angel:

Look at us Buffy! We've all been running around like idiots getting wrapped up in every little sideshow that comes our way and we've accomplished nothing. We're running out of time and I'm running out of patience.

Giles:

Willow, perhaps you should just explain.

Willow:

(looking from Giles to Buffy and back to Giles)

But...

Anya:

Just say it already!

Willow:

Ok! (pauses) It's nothing really. I told you most everything. Cordelia just had a...um...a pr...private message she wanted me to give you.

Angel seems to finally get it.

Angel:

Oh. Well that's nothing important then. I mean, we should concentrate on more pressing issues.

Buffy:

What? You just got through saying...

Angel:

Knowing Cordy, its aobut money I owe her or something. We can worry about that later. (turns to Skip) Skip, how do we get her back for good? We need her here. The visions.

{Cordy: You need me for the visions? I probably only want money? Well screw you Mister Fangman!}

Skip:

I'm afraid I can't help you with that one. She's here to find out for

herself what she must do to finish her journey. She's bound to this world

by something even stronger than her destiny now. Until she has removed the

binds, she will never be complete. (pauses for a beat) I'm paraphrasing of course.

Buffy:

Of course. Gunn, what did she do?

Gunn:

I'm not sure. All I know is every muscle in my body was aching and stiff and now its not.

Fred:

Cordelia healed you?

Xander:

Healed? Cordelia?

Spike:

Pretty snazzy trick if you ask me.

Angel:

No one did.

Buffy:

Never mind that, who was the guy with the attitude? He said something about shanshu? What's shanshu?

Wesley:

You never told her?

Spike:

Told her what?

Angel:

It's none of your buisness.

Spike:

Gonna have to differ with you there Mate. I believe the gentleman said you

might not be the shanshu-ee in light of my new soul. So it is very much my buisness if I will be the one to shanshu.

Xander:

Does anyone else think that sounds utterly ridiculous?

Angel:

(angry)

You won't be the one Spike!

Wesley:

Angel, perhaps we should look into it further for verification.

Giles:

I'm not familiar with this prophecy. Where did you come across it? And

what exactly is shanshu? What text and language is it

derived from?

Wesley:

It's quite diluted actually. I had some trouble with it upon first attempt at translation.

Fred:

You got that right.

Giles:

Shall I have a look? I might be of some help.

Xander:

Why do we have to get involved here? This has nothing

to do with us.

Dawn:

How can you say that? We came here to find out about Spike.

Xander:

Yeah and so far we haven't had much luck. Giles is back now. We can handle the rest at home. No offense to your fine city here guys.

Fred:

None taken.

Buffy:

It's not your decision Xander.

Angel:

And its not yours either Buffy.

Buffy:

Excuse me?

Angel:

I know you mean well, but you're out of your element here. I've gone along because I wasn't sure myself how to handle all this after...after I was away. But it stops now.

Buffy:

How can you...?

Angel:

I can because you're in my town and this doesn't

affect you.

The group seems to notice the tension and breaks off

into smaller groups to escape the awkwardness. Willow and Spike are the only ones who stay.

Skip fades back into the corner still listening.

Buffy:

So its just "Thanks for the assist, but you're out of

the game." Is

that

it?

Angel:

Buffy, you know its not that simple.

Buffy:

But you want it to be don't you? What's going on here

Angel?

Angel:

Wolfram and Hart has nothing to do with you. It's my son they want to know about and it's my team that knows the deal on that. And it's my

C...it's Cordelia that is part of that team. I appreciate what you did.

(pauses)

Thank you for what you did Buffy. But I'm calling the shots from here on

out. If you can't handle that, then maybe you should go.

Buffy:

I'm not going anywhere.

They stare at one another from a distance and Spike sees the familiar energy between the two.

Spike:

So are we done gazing at one another or should I find

somewhere to

wretch?

Willow:

Spike shut up!

Buffy:

So what's first on the agenda? You’re in charge. What

should we do?

Angel:

We have to get something done. No more distractions

for the entire group. It wastes too much time. I think

Wesley should get to work on finding out all he can

about the prophecies concerning the vampire with a

soul.

Spike:

That would be me!

Buffy:

(ignoring him)

Giles can help him. Two watchers always better than

one when it comes to research.

Angel:

Good. Skip, can you go tell them?

Skip:

Who me? Oh sure. I was just back here…

Angel:

Not important. Is Cordelia still here?

Skip:

Yeah where else?

Angel:

Take her with you. Let me know if she doesn’t go.

{Cordy: Is he trying to get rid of me? Skip! You tell

him there’s no secrets! Angel, no secrets!}

Skip:

Angel…

Angel:

Tell her to stop arguing and concentrate on finding a

way to get back here and stay for good.

{Cordy: He is unbelievable! You have some nerve buddy!

Like I would be in any of this mess if it weren’t for

you!}

Skip:

Hey! Remember what you’re here for. Don’t make

decisions for him.

Angel:

What?

Buffy:

How did you know what she was saying?

Angel:

Cause I know Cordy.

Buffy:

Oh.

Spike:

Maybe it’s the soul talking but I think I sense some

subtext with that one.

Willow:

(changing the subject) So Angel, what do you want me

to do?

Angel:

I need to find Justine. She’s too dangerous to be on

the loose. And I want her kept away from Connor.

Buffy, can you do that for me?

Buffy:

You want me to find someone in this town by myself.

Angel:

No. (leans back to holler) Gunn! Lorne!

Gunn:

(strolling in)

What up?

Angel:

I need you to go with Buffy.

Spike:

And me. I go where she goes.

Spike looks at Buffy and suddenly has another attack.

Everyone watches him writhe in pain for a minute

before regaining his composure.

Buffy:

I can’t take you anywhere like that.

Spike:

I’ll be fine. I’m just hungry, that’s all. Angel,

where’s your stash?

Angel:

Its not a stash and its in the frig. Buffy’s right.

You will only slow them down.

Spike:

Oh you’d like that wouldn’t you? I bet you’ll

volunteer to go in my place right quick though.

Angel:

What is that supposed to mean?

Buffy:

Enough! Spike can go with me. Just go get whatever you

need to fix your headache and Gunn and I will wait.

Angel and I can’t stay together. We’re the strongest

of the group, we’ll help the others.

Angel:

Good. Gunn, you and Lorne can take Buffy and Spike out

to find Justine.

Gunn:

Got it.

Lorne:

Why do I have to…(sees Angel’s face) wait so long for

Spike? I’m ready to go!

Willow:

And me?

Angel:

Get Giles and Wesley then you come with me. Something

else is coming and we have to be ready.

Buffy:

Something else?

Angel:

Those Mohra demons didn’t drag me out of the water for

fun. They wanted me for a reason. They said the End of

Days was coming.

Buffy:

Couldn’t they be more original? Like we haven’t heard

that a million times.

Angel:

This is different. They wanted to change me.

Buffy:

Change you?

Angel:

It’s a long story.

Wesley:

We’re here Angel.

Angel:

Giles, Wesley, can you start the research on the

prophecies? We have to know if Spike is the big deal

that Wolfram and Hart is making him out to be. Or if

I’m the one that they’re after.

Giles:

Right. And the others?

Buffy:

I’m going out with Gunn, Spike, and Lorne here to find the slayer wannabe otherwise known as Justine.

Angel:

Fred, can you help Giles and Wesley?

Fred:

Sure. (nods atGunn) Just be careful out there.

He smiles at her in private meaning.

Connor:

What of me? I should help find Justine.

Angel:

No. Buffy and the others can do that. I need you here with me. Is that okay with you?

Connor:

For now.

Angel:

Thanks. Anya, how good are you at sensing other demons?

Anya:

Fairly good when I don’t have a mass of them in a close vicinity. (motions to Angel, Spike, Lorne, Skip and the empty space that contained Cordelia) It’s pretty muddled.

Xander:

Who’s up for a quick roll call. Let’s see, I’m counting 8 humans and 6 demons or some version thereof. Who would’ve thought all those years ago, we’d end up working side by side with a gaggle of the very things we set out to destroy? Ain’t life funny that way?

Buffy:

Well I’m taking two with me out of the equation.

Xander:

Would that be two humans or demons?

Buffy:

Both. Anya, maybe you’d be more apt to notice new party guests from outside?

Anya:

(shrugs)

Maybe.

Angel:

Alright, you and Xander take the back. The second you get anything, let us know.

Anya:

Fine. But what about the front? I can’t be in two places at once now can I?

Skip:

No but we can. (jerks) Ouch!

Buffy:

Let me guess. Cordy not feeling like helping out.

{Cordy: Oh I’ll show you help Buffy! Don’t pull your superior crap with me! I’m a higher being damnit!}

Skip:

(to Cordy)

As a rule Higher Beings don’t use that kind of language.

{Cordy: Well I bet they have never come across Buffy Summers. Self appointed queen of everything!}

Buffy:

What did she say?

Xander:

You don’t want to know.

{Cordy: Xander Harris I wasn’t talking to you!}

Xander:

I’m aware.

Dawn:

Aware of what?

Buffy:

Dawn! Angel, I can’t leave Dawn.

Angel:

I’ll stay with her. She can come with Connor and I to check upstairs.

Dawn:

I don’t want to go with you! I’ll stay with Buffy and Spike!

Spike:

(Walking in swigging blood)

What’s that about me and Buffy Little Bit?

Dawn:

Buffy said I have to stay with Angel. I want to go with you.

Spike:

(smirking)

I know he doesn’t compare, but I reckon you should listen to the Slayer on this one.

Angel is not happy with the familiarity between Spike and Dawn.

Xander:

Wait. Spike’s going with Buffy? Alone?

Gunn:

No, Lorne and I are heading out with them. You got a problem?

Xander:

(Looks at Angel)

Do you?

Angel:

(confused)

She can keep an eye on him. It makes sense. So is everyone clear?

The group agrees and everyone heads out. Angel, Connor, Willow and Dawn head upstairs as Xander and Anya head out to the atrium. Giles, Wesley and Fred go in the office and Buffy, Lorne, Gunn and Spike go out the front doors.

Skip hesitates watching until he is alone in the lobby.

{Cordy: What kind of plan is this? Find Justine, watch for bad guys, research the prophecy.}

Skip:

Sounded pretty solid to me.

{Cordy: Sure. For you. I’m still inviso-girl and can’t be of any help to anyone!}

Skip:

Did it ever occur to you that maybe that’s why you’re here?

{Cordy: What?}

Skip:

You were held up by your ties to this world. Because you still based your decisions on how it would affect things here. Maybe They sent you back to see how things work when you’re not around.

{Cordy: But if it works without me then…?}

Skip:

Aha.

He walks out the front doors and Cordy glides along behind him silently.

 

Cut to Hallway

Connor:

What are we looking for?

Angel:

Weaknesses. We have to try and eliminate any unnecessary risks of an enemies entry. Something is coming. I’m sure of it. And until I know exactly what they are after, I can’t let my guard down. Willow?

Willow:

We’re here.

(She walks with Dawn a few steps behind)

Dawn:

What’s going on with you Will? You know something.

Willow:

I don’t know what I know yet. I’m just trying to avoid a lot of personal melodrama getting in the way of whatever danger we might be in.

Dawn:

Personal? Oh! I get it! You mean like Spike and Buffy?

Willow:

Sshh!

Angel:

What was that?

Willow:

Nothing Angel! (whispers) Dawn, he’s Angel. Kind of like the Superman of hearing.

Dawn:

Whatever. I don’t see what the big is. It’s not like they owe eachother anything anymore. Buffy goes to see him once this year and she won’t even talk about it when she gets back. If you ask me, it was just a final goodbye.

Willow:

Angel and Buffy will never know the meaning of that word.

Dawn:

That’s the romantic in you. She hasn’t mentioned him in moths.

Willow:

Yeah and when he was in trouble, hundreds of miles away, she felt it. That’s not a sign of over Dawn.

Dawn:

Well, he’s gonna find out someday. Besides, did you see the look on his face when he saw Cordelia? I’m thinking late nights working have led to…

Willow:

Dawn stop! Let’s just drop it okay?

Dawn:

(holds up hands in surrender)

Yes ma’am. At least we know with Gunn and Lorne around, Spike won’t be apt to try a forced make out session again.

Willow doesn’t answer and is still looking down at her feet when she suddenly runs into a wall. She backs up a step and realizes it isn’t a wall. Angel has heard Dawn and stopped dead in his tracks.

Willow:

Angel!

Angel:

(looks from Dawn to Willow and asks what he already knows)

What did she just say?