A Fighter's Love by CheriChapter 21
Fade in on Atrium Xander and Anya sit on opposite sides of the patio. Anya: How long are we supposed to sit out here? Xander: I guess until your newly regained demon sense proves useful. Anya: I don’t think I like your tone. Xander: Oh please forgive me. Don’t curse the world or anything. Anya: See! You’re mocking me! Xander: Not mocking, just dealing. We Were together for years Anya. Don’t you know by now that I deal with the crap through my warped humor? Anya: So its crap? We were crap? Xander: I didn’t say that! You going back to the vengeance gig? That’s crap. Anya: It never would have happened if… Xander: (cutting her off and standing) I know! It’s all my fault. Why couldn’t you just be like a normal girl and cry and hate me and… Anya: (returning the interruption) And get back at you? What do you think I did? Xander: You don’t get it Anya. A normal girl wishes her ex all kinds of pain but she can’t make good on it! It’s a stage of grief that we’ve all experienced. But you didn’t just feel it, you went and got your powers back. You gave up your humanity! Anya: Well I’m sorry if I’m not strong enough Xander Harris! I wasn’t a witch or a slayer. I was a girl on her wedding day and you broke my heart! You walked away! I lived for you and you rejected me in the most humiliating, debilitating way imaginable! Xander: (softens) I’m sorry An. I don’t know how many times I can say it. It was because I loved you so much that… Anya: Shut up. Xander: How do you expect to… Anya: (puts hand over his mouth) No, sshh! I think I feel something. Xander’s eyes dart around the atrium as Anya holds his mouth. Cut to Hallway Willow: Now Angel… Dawn: Did he see something? Angel: What did you just say? Willow: Nothing. Angel: What did Spike force Buffy to do? Dawn: Why do you ask if you already know the answer? Angel growls deep in his throat and Dawn takes a step back. Connor steps closer behind Angel with a look of concern. Willow: Um Angel…you’re taking it out of…of context. Dawn was just… Angel: I’ve been more than patient. But Willow if you don’t tell me everything you know, I swear I’ll… Willow: I don’t know! I wasn’t there and then I was evil, I can’t tell you anything! Angel: Dawn? Connor: Why is this so important? I thought we were guarding against the Mohra. Angel: You don’t know Spike Connor. If he wants someone dead or hurt, nothing gets in his way. Dawn: Spike would never hurt Buffy! Angel: But you said he forced. You said forced. Dawn: It was just a private comment between Willow and I. If you would put your vamp ears to good use instead of eavesdropping, we wouldn’t be wasting time right now. Willow: Dawn don’t! Connor: We have work to do. Buffy has the others with her. She’s safe. She’s the Slayer. Angel: And Spike’s always had a yen for those. He’s killed two before. Now I sent Buffy with Spike and he if he turns on her… Willow: Xander! Angel: What? Willow: Xander knows exactly what happened. You should talk to him. Dawn: I don’t think that’s a good idea. Xander’s biased. He’s convinced Spike tried to… She doesn’t get to finish her thought when Angel rushes past her running down the hallway. Connor, Willow and Dawn all look at one another. Cut to Office Giles: This is fascinating. Why have you not informed us of this before now? Wesley: I didn’t see the need. Giles: Didn’t see the…Angel could one day become human and you didn’t see a need to call Sunnydale? Wesley: It wasn’t my place. Giles looks at him for a moment and then seems to get it. Giles: I see. So Angel made the decision. Wesley: There was never a discussion, but yes, I assume he thought of it. He never mentioned it though so it wasn’t our place. Fred: So have you guys found anything new yet? Cause I’m not having any luck over here. Wesley: I’ve studied every volume at my disposal twenty times over concerning this and all the prophecies and scrolls that have come to our attention of late. There’s nothing new here. Giles: I apologize for slowing you down. Wesley: It isn’t that. We just don’t have the resources. (frowns) But I know who does. Fred: No Welsey. You can’t go to her again. Angel would never understand. Wesley: Angel hasn’t understood me for a very long time Fred. Fred: But this will make it worse! He’s finally starting to trust you. Wesley: Come now Fred. I know you’re too intelligent to believe that. Angel is only keeping me around to keep an eye on me. Yes, we’ve taken small steps towards forgiveness, but if I wait here for him to find time to confront me once and for all, we might all suffer in the interim. Wolfram and Hart probably has dozens of people already researching the very thing we are. Which automatically puts them ahead of us. Giles: How are they so powerful? Wesley: That’s a very good question. I know they would work for the devil himself if necessary and might already do that very thing. They have connections into the dark forces that you and I as watchers weren’t even privy to knowing of. Lilah is their most dedicated minion. Giles: And you have a relationship with this woman? Wesley: Of course not! I do what I need to to get the most information I can. And right now I need all the information they have. The original scroll of this prophecy and so many others is in their possession. They have an entire wing filled with volumes upon volumes and more surveillance on Angel and so many others that it makes our training seem irrelevant. Giles: And why would they ever help you? They know you work for Angel. Wesley: They know I used to. They know that Angel turned his back on me when Connor was taken. Angel wanted me dead for betraying him. Lilah has been trying to recruit me ever since. I’ve been undercover before, perhaps its time to go back to that. Giles: Are you suggesting you’ll play both sides of the fence? Quite a dangerous proposition Wesley. Are you sure you’re ready for that? Wesley: I’m not the man you knew in Sunnydale. I know what I’m doing. Fred: Not if you don’t discuss this with Angel first. I’m telling you Wesley, it’s a mistake. Wesley: Then it should be expected of me. If Angel hadn’t disappeared, I wouldn’t even be here Fred. Now he’s back and you’ve no use for me. I’m much better for the team on the inside at Wolfram and Hart. Giles: And what happens if they find you out? Wesley: What is there to find out? I’m going where I’m wanted. If I find something useful, I’ll be back. (looks at Fred) I have to do this. I have to prove myself without question. Fred: It’s not the way. And I’m not defending you this time Wesley. Wesley: It’s the only way. Someday you and the others will see that. Giles, can you stay? Until we know more? Giles: I’m not leaving the country like this. I will be here until some progress is made. Wesley: Good. He bends to collect papers and head out the door. Cut to Atrium Xander: What? What is it? Is someone coming? Anya: Somethings not right. It’s too close. Xander: (whispering) How close? Angel: (speaking from the shadows) Xander! Xander and Anya both jump and cry out in shock. Anya: What is wrong with you? Xander: How you gonna sneak up on someone like that? And where did you come from? Angel: Upstairs. Tell me what Spike did to Buffy. Xander: Huh? Angel: Don’t push me. Tell me now or it gets ugly. Anya: It was you. I felt you. Angel: Well Xander’s about to feel me as well if he doesn’t talk. Xander: Whoa there Buddy. I’m on your side when it comes to Spike. I guess the girls told you then? Well its about time. I couldn’t believe when you just sent him off with her. I mean, Gunn and Lorne are great chaperones but not much good if they’re say unconscious. Angel: Thanks for the support but tell me what happened. Xander: Which part? About Spike being all googly eyed over her for months now or the bathroom incident? Angel: Incident? Xander: Yeah, the attack. Left her pretty shaken, he practically tore her clothes off. I saw the bruises he left, I wanted to kill him mys…Angel? Xander and Anya look around to see that Angel is long gone. Xander: I’m thinking maybe a bit too descriptive. How about you? Anya: He’s going to kill him. Cut to Cemetary Gunn: Ok, this is the fifth cemetery we’ve been to. I know its you’re turf and all, but I think it’s a pretty long shot. Spike and Buffy walk side by side in front through the headstones. Lorne hums a tune beside Gunn. Buffy: She’s suffering for what she’s done. She knows she lost sight of her reasons. Her sister is the key. I’m thinking, we find her sister, we find her. Lorne: Good plan sweetness. But do you have any idea how big the death market is here in LA? We could be searching graveyards for weeks and not come across the right one. Gunn: Dude has a point. Spike: Maybe you both could try the strong silent approach? As in shut up cause your whining’s giving me a bleeding headache! Gunn: Watch it. To me, you’re just another vamp. Sun may not do it, but I’m willing to bet that a stake still might. Buffy: Gunn don’t! We can’t just go around staking vampires at random. Lorne: Update little Lady. You’re the Slayer, that exactly what you’re supposed to do. Buffy: Spike’s different. Spike: That’s right boys, I’m different. He smirks at them and steps closer to Buffy when suddenly Gunn feels the stake pulled from his hand and before he can see who it is, it flies directly into Spike’s back. Spike: Aaughh! Buffy looks down as Spike drops first to his knees then face first onto the ground. She pulls the stake out quickly and turns to face the enemy. A blur rushes past her knocking her backwards as Gunn and Lorne rush to join her behind a large marble headstone. Spike: What the…(just starts to stand and is tackled) The tangle of black coats and arms and legs is all that’s visible and Buffy tries to figure out how to help. When finally the two separate and spring up to face off. Spike is wincing in pain still and Angel is in full vamp mode ready to strike. Buffy: Angel! Gunn: He doesn’t look happy. Lorne: I’m thinking not. Spike: What is your bloody problem! You could have killed me! Angel: Don’t worry Spike. I wouldn’t let you off that easy. He growls and charges. Spike sees it coming and spins to the side just in time to see Angel miss to the side. Spike lifts a heavy boot and connects with Angel’s kidney pushing him further away. Spike: Don’t tempt me Angel. I’ve been waiting for a go at you for a long time. Angel: Then let’s do it. Buffy: What in the hell is going on? Spike: Stay out of this Buffy. Its about time we finish this. Angel: So why are you still talking? Spike: (transforming to vamp face) Who’s talking? Buffy starts to move forward but Gunn grabs her arm. Buffy: You know you’re risking serious bodily harm with that right? Gunn: I figure no more than you’re risking going in there. They turn to see Spike and Angel rush eachother and lock up in a brutal fight. Angel gets the first hit, connecting with a solid left to Spike’s jaw. Before he even can react, Spike swings an arm around from the side and backhands Angel sending him down. Spike: (growling) Always think you’re so much better than me! He drops down with his knee first to land on Angel’s neck but Angel rolls away and stands in one fluid motion. Angel: You never should have touched her Spike. He sees Spike coming at him and bends at the knees to flip Spike over his head. Spike doesn’t go easily though and wraps his arms around Angel’s shoulders, taking him backwards with him. They land with amazing force on the ground and Spike kicks him in the gut scooting away. Spike: Is that it? You finally see that she found something real? Someone who won’t use her for kicks and then walk. Angel: (furious and practically salivating) Go to hell. Spike: Sorry, that’s your specialty. Angel takes a step and stirkes out with both hands. One lashes out balled up and buries itself deep in Spike’s stomach doubling him over. The other grabs him around the back of the neck to steady him while Angel raises a knee to his forhead. Spike’s head snaps back as Angel releases him and he staggers backwards. Blood drips from his eye and he smiles with his fanged teeth. Angel: You have one shot to get away from here and her for good. Spike: Afraid it wont happen Granddad. We’ve got something. Angel: You’re a liar. I know what you did. Xander told me everything. Spike: This isn’t about what I did. Its about what you didn’t. You didn’t love her enough to stay. You didn’t love her enough to fight. You’ve never loved anyone really have you? Angel: Wrong answer. Angel rushes again and picks Spike up over his head before dropping him on his back across a headstone. Spike rolls off in pain. Angel descends for the kill. Spike senses it and rolls onto his back to look up at him. Spike: Is this what having a soul does to you? Angel stops in mid attack Angel: (morphs to human) That’s why. Spike: Why what? Angel: You did it for her. Because of me. Spike: Nothing I do is because of you. Angel: You thought if you came to her with a soul that it would be different. But why? What could ever make you think you had a chance in hell other than to force yourself on her. Spike: If that’s why we’re here, then I do wish you would do it. If I could take away what I did to her, what I tried to do. Angel: You’re an animal Spike. You’re nothing. Do you understand me? You will never get close to her. Spike: (pulls himself up to look at Angel eye to eye) You are so off the mark it’s laughable. Angel: And if you ever come near her again I won’t aim low. Spike: Maybe you should talk to her about that first. Angel turns to look at Buffy who seems way past uncomfortable. Buffy: Angel. What are you doing here? Lorne: Not to be insensitive, but I think the beating of your friend is the obvious answer to that question. Angel: I found out what he did. (steps closer to her) Why didn’t you tell me? Buffy: It wan’t…important. It was a mistake. Angel: A mistake? Spike attacks you, tries to…and it was just a mistake. Buffy: I can’t do this now Angel. Angel: What’s going on Buffy? Gunn: So, I’m thinking Lorne and I can cover the rest of this one ourselves? What do you say we meet you two back here in a minute. Angel: Thanks Gunn. Spike: What about me? Lorne: Ever heard of a thing called tact? Spike: Ever heard of a thing called mind your own damn business! Buffy: Spike, go with them. Spike: Last I checked I didn’t take orders from you Slayer. Buffy: Good, then just go. I need a minute. Spike: I’m not falling into that same trap again Girlie. New game, new rules. Don’t you forget it. Buffy: How could I? Gunn and Lorne head off and Spike stomps behind them muttering under his breath.
Cut to Lobby Skip busts in the doors hollering and trying not to fall down. Skip: Hey! Angel! Whoever! Fred: (coming out from office) What is it? Is it Cordelia? Skip: Not everything is about Cordelia. Geez, no wonder the girls got the big head. Ok, maybe this one time its about Cordelia. Xander and Anya come in from outside. Xander: What’s going on? Did Angel kill Spike? Dawn: (from stairs) What? You mean he’s not with you? Anya: Duh? He found out Spike has the hots for Buffy and took off. Sent my demon radar off the map if you know what I mean. Skip: I sure do. But I’ve got another problem. Xander: Of course you do. Skip: Cordelia’s gone. Fred: Gone? As in… Skip: I don’t know as in. I just know something took her away and I don’t think it was time. Something happened to pull her away from me. And it wasn’t Them. Fred: So, Angel’s gone after Buffy and the rest. Cordelia’s diappeared again and we’re back to being in this hotel alone? Connor: You are safe here. I have checked as he wanted, and the building is secure for now. Xander: So why can’t you ask your Powers that be buddies what’s up? Cordy works for them now right? Skip: I told you, she’s not gone at their will. It was something else. She said something about another mistake. And she was gone. Xander: (looks around) Where’s Wesley? Giles: He said he had to leave. I’m not sure where. Willow: You’ve always been a horrible liar Giles. Fred: He went to try and get some information from Wolfram and Hart. I told him it was a mistake. Xander: Bingo. What’s the address? Giles: What bingo? You think Wesley’s mistake is the same as Cordy’s comment? Xander: Cordy helps people now. If Wes is making a mistake I figure she went to try and help. Only she isn’t exactly of the physical. So I’m going. Anya: Why would you go to a place you know nothing about? It’s stupid. Xander: Well, then I’m right on target for my usual wouldn’t you say? Fred: I really don’t think… Xander: Address! Fred startles and grabs a piece of paper to scribble on. Fred: Here. Connor: I will go as well. Xander: You have to be here to help the others in case there’s trouble. Giles: You can’t go alone Xander. He has strength. Skip: I’ll stay here. Kind of bound until I get my case back. So just bring her back okay? I can watch over them. Xander: Count on it. He and Connor stride out of the lobby as the others watch. Cut to Lilah’s office The door opens and she looks up to see Wesley standing in her doorway. Lilah: This is unexpected. Wesley: I don’t see why. Unless your offer is expired that is? Lilah: Offer? Wesley: I’ve taken enough beatings from him. I thinks its time to do some damage of my own. {Cordy: Oh Wesley, what are you doing?} |