A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 22

 

Fade in on Cemetary

Gunn and Lorne walk side by side as Spike stomps along in front of them.

Gunn:

So is it just me or is it a little odd that the chosen one, The Vampire Slayer seems to be a magnet for Vamp love?

Lorne:

I’ve seen odder.

Gunn:

I bet you have. So should we say something to him?

Lorne:

Like what? He’s not too fond of Angel thus I would imagine not to fond of any of us. He just had a major whammy put on him otherwise known as a soul and finds out he can catch the rays he’s been living to avoid for the past hundred or so years. Yeah, I’m sure we’ll help with random small talk.

Spike:

(not turning around but speaking loudly)

But talking about me behind my back is gonna do wonders.

Gunn:

(glances at Lorne who makes fangs with his fingers then taps his ear-Gunn nods in understanding and calls out)

No offense. I guess I’m just not sure what to say in this situation.

Lorne:

How about let’s go get the girl.

Gunn:

What?

Lorne:

(points across the lawn)

Look.

Spike and Gunn stop and look to see Lorne has spotted Justine kneeling in front of a headstone. She’s several yards away and hasn’t heard them.

Gunn:

So what now?

Lorne:

Should we go get Angel?

Gunn:

I don’t think they’re going to want to be interrupted just yet.

Spike:

It’s never stopped me before.

Lorne:

And how has that worked out for you in the past?

The three watch Justine in silent thought.

Cut to other side of cemetery

Angel and Buffy are facing off outside of a large mausoleum.

Angel:

So you going to make me ask?

Buffy:

Ask what?

Angel:

(rolls eyes and starts to pace)

Buffy, why is everything so difficult with you?

Buffy:

I’m sorry I’m so much trouble. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though. You’ve given me every hint imaginable.

Angel:

What does that mean?

Buffy:

(exasperated)

I can’t believe you! What do you want from me Angel?

Angel:

I never said I wanted anything from you.

Buffy:

Well you got me there. You certainly haven’t.

Angel:

This isn’t about me Buffy. I came here ready to kill Spike for what he did to you. But now it seems you weren’t the least bit bothered by his attack.

Buffy:

You can’t say that! You have no idea what that was like. I have dealt with a lot of horrible things in my life but in that bathroom, I almost felt helpless. (She seems to fight tears) He was on top of me and pulling and tearing and I didn’t even know how to fight. It was like I was watching someone else.

Angel grows tense at her words and balls his hands into fists.

Buffy:

Nothing happened. I stopped him. And now I’m not even sure what would have happened if I hadn’t. But I know I can never love him. I would never love him.

Angel:

(swallows hard)

But you’ve thought about it.

Buffy:

It’s too complicated to explain here Angel. Spike is not the same person you knew before.

Angel:

I gathered.

Buffy:

Not just because of the soul. It was a long time coming. He swears he loves me.

Angel:

So he goes to do whatever it took to get a soul just so you’d give him the time of day? For what? Love?

Buffy:

(quietly)

At least he did something.

Angel:

What?

Buffy:

(looks him in the eye defiantly)

I told him he had no chance Angel! Over and over I told him. But he didn’t give up. He traveled across several continents to do anything he could to find a way for us to be together. What did you do?

Angel winces at her accusation.

Buffy:

I told you I loved you. I showed you in ways I didn’t know were possible. I vowed to never stop loving you. And you said you felt the same. But you gave up. You just gave up on us and walked away. And look at us now! You can’t stand to be around me and I feel like my guts are slowly being pulled out from the inside.

Angel:

How could you say I just gave up? Is that what you really believe? Buffy, I could never…

Buffy:

What’s going on with Cordelia Angel?

Angel:

Where did that come from?

Buffy:

I don’t know. Maybe from the town we just left called Keep Buffy in the Dark. Did you really think you were being slick back there with Willow? It’s just about money? Yeah, I’m sure a higher being is concerned about their finances. Come on Angel.

Angel:

(steps back to turn away)

You don’t know what you’re talking about Buffy.

Buffy:

Don’t do that! Don’t treat me like I’m the girl you left standing in the ruins of Sunnydale High! I’m a grown woman Angel and I know subtext when I see and hear it.

Angel:

You always do this! You turn things around so you don’t have to deal with what’s really going on!

Buffy:

And what am I not dealing with?

Angel:

What happened with Spike? How did he become so obsessed with you? I haven’t seen him like this since Dru.

He stops and seems to think hard about something.

Angel:

This isn’t new.

Buffy:

What?

Angel:

This was going on even before you were…gone. Did you know the last time I saw you?

Buffy:

You mean when we met?

Angel:

No. Before that. When I came to you, after…after the funeral. Did you know then?

Buffy doesn’t respond right away and they just watch each other afraid to speak.

Cut to Wolfram and Hart

Lilah:

I’m not stupid Wesley.

Wesley:

That is one thing I’m aware of. Why else would I be here? I need to be where I can be put to good use.

Lilah:

And you are willing to sign on to destroy Angel?

Wesley:

(shrugs and walks to her desk)

It’s not my only reason I’ll admit. I’m not so narrow minded I assure you. For one, in light of recent events, I would be hard pressed to buy into Angel’s importance in the grand scheme of things. And two, if Spike is who we think he might be, well it changes the entire field of play. And you must realize that you and I could be formidable allies against what’s to come.

Lilah:

(looks down at a monitor on her desk)

You’re really slipping.

Wesley:

Beg your pardon?

Lilah:

(points at monitor)

Looks like your rides here.

Wesley:

I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. May I?

She nods and he walks to join her behind the desk. He sees Xander and Connor standing in the lobby.

Wesley:

Well they’re certainly making our job easy now aren’t they?

Lilah:

So you’re going to pretend you know nothing about this.

Wesley:

The boy tried to kill me. If I was going to have someone watch my back it wouldn’t be him.

Lilah:

So then I guess you’ll join me downstairs.

Wesley:

If that’s where you want me.

Lilah smirks and walks past him out the door. He follows silently after a sideways glance back down at the monitor.

Cut to Lobby of Wolfram and Hart

Connor:

What is your plan of attack?

Xander:

Attack? Was I supposed to have one of those?

Connor:

We came to retrieve Wesley from the bad ones. Surely we will need a plan.

Xander:

Well aren’t you your father’s son? Ten minutes with you and you’re already criticizing.

{Cordy: Can you blame him?}

Xander startles and looks around frantically.

Xander:

Did you hear that?

Connor:

(looking over his shoulder)

Hear what?

Xander:

Oh I get it. She didn’t get enough of ruining my life and driving me insane in high school, now she’s doing it from another dimension.

Connor:

I don’t know what you’re saying.

{Cordy: He’s saying ‘Hey look at the huge moron you’re with!’}

Xander:

Shut up!

Connor:

What?

Xander:

(holds a finger up to Connor)

Cordelia?

{Cordy: Yes?}

Xander:

Why can I hear you?

{Cordy: Obviously it’s a really bad joke courtesy of the PTB, but you need to listen.}

Xander:

What?

{Cordy: Wesley is on his way down here with Lilah.}

Xander:

I thought it was a mistake.

{Cordy: It is, but he’s Wesley. Stupid, stubborn Wesley.}

Xander:

So he’ll come back with us?

{Cordy: Actually, I’m afraid he might try and keep Connor here. You need to go.}

Xander:

Just leave? What about you?

{Cordy: I have to keep an eye on things. I’ll check in later.}

The elevator doors open and Lilah and Wes exit with two guards.

Xander:

Connor, get behind me.

Connor:

I don’t hide.

Xander:

I’m guessing you don’t listen to well either.

{Cordy: Tell him it’s me. Tell him he has to trust me. Tell him I know everything and I believe in him. I know what he’s capable of. But he can’t be here. Tell him!}

Xander:

(straining to remember everything)

Connor! Cordy says to tell you to trust her and that she believes in you. She knows everything and knows what you can do. But she says we have to go…now.

Lilah:

Hello Gentlemen. To what do we owe this visit?

Xander:

Oh nothing. Connor here’s just showing me the LA sights. Here’s the Hollywood sign, here’s Mann’s theatre, here’s where the root of all evil works, you know…the usual. Hey Wesley! Fancy meeting you here!

Lilah:

Is this funny where you’re from?

{Cordy: No.}

Xander:

Watch it.

Wesley:

What a coincidence. I was just going to say the same thing to you.

Connor:

Why are you in this place? You said you would help Angel.

Wes:

I’m afraid you’re mistaken Connor. Not surprising really. How could you have heard anything when you were so busy trying to kill me?

Connor:

I was angry.

Lilah:

We could help you with that. (nods at the men and they step forward) This way?

Xander:

Hey. (pushes against the man who brushes against him on his way to Connor) Hey! I don’t think he wants to go.

Man:

That’s why she brought us.

Connor:

I don’t go where I don’t wish.

Lilah:

You have that menacing tone just like your father.

Wesley:

Connor, just make it easy on yourself. I’ll be with you the entire time.

Xander:

What are you talking about? Have you gone mental?

Wesley:

Quite the opposite I assure you.

He watches as the two men make their move on Connor. Connor sees it coming though and flips backwards to avoid their grasp. Xander steps up and takes on one from behind.

Xander:

Pick on someone your own size!

He grabs him around the neck and jerks backwards. The man spins easily and faces Xander with a smirk before leaning in.

{Cordy: Xander, his feet!}

Xander looks down to see his feet have crossed over one another in his haste to spin and Xander uses that to his advantage. He kicks into the man’s knee and he goes down in a tangle. Xander bends to punch him dead in the nose and knocks him out.

{Cordy: Whoa. I’m almost impressed.}

Lilah:

Welsey! Do something!

Wesley looks at the one left advancing on Connor. Connor studies him in an instant and leaps up and over his head to drop down behind him. In the time it takes for the man to turn, Connor drops to one knee extracting a dagger from his waistband. Before the guard can deflect it, it’s buried in his gut. Blood spills on the floor and an alarm goes off loudly through out the building. Xander goes to help Connor up and Wesley steps in the way.

Wesley:

(To Connor)

You really shouldn’t have done that.

He raises an arm to strike.

Xander:

Wes!

Xander grabs his arm and Wes spins to deliver a blow with the free one. Xander goes down in surprise and Connor springs up to pick Wes up by the collar and throw him directly into Lilah. The pair topples to the floor as several more guards swarm.

{Cordy: Go!}

Xander stands and Connor takes the lead. He crashes full body through the glass front door. Xander pauses for a millisecond at the sight and then runs after Connor and down the street.

The guards start to go after them but Lilah calls them back. Wes helps her up and they stare at the shattered glass.

Cut to Alley

Xander and Connor run behind a dumpster and Xander struggles to catch his breath.

Connor:

(peeking around the dumpster)

I don’t think they’ve followed us.

Xander:

(breathing hard)

What’s with the movie stunt? The door wasn’t locked you know?

Connor:

We should get back. The other’s should be there by now.

Xander:

Give me a sec. (puts hands on knees and bends over still catching his breath-Connor leaves) What’s your deal? Why aren’t you tired or cut or concussed? (slaps himself on forhead) Oh yeah! Angel’s son. Always have to show off your manliness.

Connor doesn’t hear and Xander runs after him.

Cut to Cemetary

Buffy:

Spike had nothing to do with that.

Angel:

I didn’t say he did. But Spike isn’t the type to just pick an obsession overnight. He has to study and ponder and choose carefully.

Buffy:

When you came that night, I believed I could make it for the first time. That’s what you do for me Angel. You make me think I can do anything, survive anything. Not Spike, you.

Angel:

And when I was lost to everyone, you found me. I knew you would come. The whole time I was down there, I kept seeing you. And when you came, I felt you.

Buffy:

(hand on her stomach)

Me too.

Angel:

But you think I gave up.

Buffy:

I think that everything I’ve done, everything I do, everything I am, it all comes back to you. And he knew it too. He knew that he could never be to me what you are.

Angel:

I can’t stand the thought of him touching you.

Buffy swallows hard this time and fidgets nervously. She knows she needs to tell him everything.

Gunn:

(clearing throat loudly and running up)

Hey Angel, Buffy! We got her. She’s here.

Angel:

Justine?

Lorne:

No, Little Red Riding Hood, she got way off track on her way to Grandma’s.

Buffy:

You should take your act on the road.

Lorne:

I did.

Angel:

Where is she? Did you just leave her?

Spike:

She’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Angel:

And how do you know?

Spike:

She’s crying like a baby. Having some kind of catharsis if you ask me.

Gunn:

How did you…oh yeah. Man what I wouldn’t give to have you guys hearing.

Angel:

Don’t say that Gunn.

Gunn:

I wasn’t serious. It was just a figure of speech.

Angel:

How far?

Lorne:

Just a dozen or so yards over that way. So I’ll just hang back here then. You go do your stuff and I’ll meet you back here.

Buffy:

Not the joiner huh?

Lorne:

(grabs horns)

See these? Just grew one back from the last time I joined. No thanks.

Angel:

Alright, Gunn you stay out of sight in case she slips past us. Buffy?

Buffy:

Right behind you.

They look at one another strangely knowing that they didn’t finish what they started. But as usual, they had bigger things than them to consider.

Cut to Justine sitting on her sister’s grave.

Justine:

(calmly)

What are you doing here?

Angel:

(stepping from shadows)

I think you know.

Justine:

Nothing you can do to me will make up for what I did to you.

Angel:

You’re right.

Justine:

I only wanted to make her life mean something. Make the evil that took her from me suffer.

Angel:

First mistake. Evil doesn’t have the ability to suffer. Evil doesn’t feel anything. It just is.

Justine:

Unless the evil gets a soul.

Angel:

(pauses)

I guess.

Justine:

Why did you come for me?

Angel:

I’ve learned to keep my enemies close.

Justine:

So I’m still your enemy?

Angel:

You tell me.

Justine:

(stands to face him)

One of your kind killed my sister. I will never choose to side with you.

Angel:

Fair enough. And you almost destroyed my son and very nearly me. I don’t exactly feel like adding you to my Christmas list either.

Justine:

So where does that leave us?

Angel:

You come with me to the hotel. Until we figure out what everything means and how it all ties together, I don’t want any more loose ends than I already have.

Justine:

And if I refuse.

Buffy:

(stepping up behind Angel)

Then I get a workout.

Gunn:

Yo Angel!

Angel turns to see Gunn being guided closer by a very large Mohra.

Mohra:

You resist your duty.

Angel:

My duty is not with you.

Mohra:

Your duty is where you choose. One choice made to avoid another.

Buffy:

Who is this guy?

Mohra:

You were not meant to be. You were not intended for this time.

Buffy:

And who died and made you all knowing?

Mohra:

You did.

Cut to Hotel

Xander and Connor come through the doors into an empty lobby.

Xander:

Willow! Anya! Dawn! Giles! (frowns) Where is everyone?

Connor:

I’ll check upstairs.

Xander:

Hello?

He walks into the office and it’s empty. Turning to head upstairs he sees something on the floor. Bending to pick it up he calls out.

Xander:

Connor! (to himself) This can’t be good.