A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 24

 

Fade in on Cordelia’s apartment

Dawn:

I can’t believe Cordelia lives with a ghost.

Giles:

Yes, it would have been nice if Fred had mentioned that before sending us over.

Anya:

Are you kidding? That look on your face was priceless. I only wish the others had been here to see it or I had a camera.

Dawn snickers as Giles takes off his glasses to clean them.

Giles:

Don’t be absurd. As if a simple poltergeist would rattle me.

Anya:

Yeah, it wasn’t really a rattle at all. More of a stammer and spinning around like a wild man searching for the enemy.

Dawn:

(smiling)

Stop being so british Giles. You were freaked out. Just admit it.

Giles:

And what of the two of you? Squealing like schoolgirls.

Anya:

I never denied it.

Dawn:

I think its kind of neat.

At that moment one of Cordy’s mugs floats through the air and sets down in front of Giles.

Dawn:

See?

Giles:

I see. (Looks around still unsure) Thank you then. (straightens) Anya, you were saying you were able to contact Buffy.

Anya:

(nods)

Yeah, her and Angel had a group with them. They were going to find Fred and Willow.

Dawn:

But you said he was angry.

Anya:

He didn’t look to please to find out that they went after the Sajhan urn alone.

Giles:

Quite understandable. From what little information Fred gave me, this demon is quite powerful. He nearly killed Angel once before.

Anya:

So tell me again why we let them go alone.

Giles:

They weren’t alone. Skip was with them. He insisted that he could defend against anything they might come into contact with.

Dawn:

Right. With his will…what does that mean?

Anya:

From the time they’ve been gone, I’m thinking it doesn’t mean a lot. And what about Xander? How will he know where to find us?

Giles:

I’m sure Wesley will think to check here once they retrieve him.

Dawn:

You mean if they retrieve him.

Anya:

I’m going to try and find him.

Giles:

Anya, you just got back. Your powers aren’t restored completely. You must give yourself time to strengthen. I’m sure Xander and Connor have found Wesley and are on their way back here together.

Cut to Tunnel

Xander:

Well lookie here. Together again.

Wesley:

Still quick with the inappropriate humor I see.

Connor:

What are you doing here?

Wesley:

I’m willing to wager the same thing you are.

Xander:

You’re looking for Willow and the rest?

Wesley:

The urn.

Connor:

You won’t get it.

Wesley:

And why is that?

Connor:

Because you’re working with them.

Wesley:

(looks at guards)

Who these guys? They’re part of the Wolfram and Hart package. A lot better benefits than your father offered.

Connor:

You betrayed him.

Wesley:

And you buried him alive. I guess blood really is thicker than water.

Xander:

Hold up guys. Let’s focus. Wesley, I know you have a bone to pick with Angel. Who doesn’t? But do you really think choosing the side opposite him is a wise move? Why don’[t you just take your new friends here and let us finish what we started?

Wesley:

Still playing peacekeeper. Who can blame you? It’s not as if you have something else to offer.

Connor:

You won’t get past me.

Wesley:

Don’t make this ugly Connor.

Connor:

The urn stays with me. Holtz told me what this creature is capable of.

Wesley:

Yes, but Connor, everythings changed dear boy.

Xander:

Changed? What’s changed? Besides your attitude.

Wesley:

Sajhan was a danger to you because he believed you were preordained to destroy him.

Connor:

And I will.

Wesley:

Perhaps. But not unless you allow me to find the answers I’m looking for.

Connor:

You will not get past me.

Xander:

(stepping closer to Connor)

Or me.

 

Wesley:

I will not fight either of you. Why do you think I brought my six large friends here.

A groan is heard and one falls to the ground.

Angel:

Oohh! Think you better make that five Wes.

Wes spins to see Angel, Buffy and the rest of the group blocking the only exit.

Cut to Sajhan’s Lair

Fred:

This is it.

Skip:

Where’s the urn?

Fred:

Just start looking. Justine had it over there. And then she set it down.

Willow:

Why didn’t you just take it then?

Fred:

We were kind of sidetracked by a maybe dead Wesley.

Willow:

She had slit his throat.

Fred nods.

Skip:

I don’t get it.

Willow:

Which part?

 

Skip:

This Justine chick was all about revenge. Willing to do anything for it, even die. But she spared Angel and sucked this Sajhan cat into a binding urn only to help Connor almost destroy Angel weeks later. I don’t get it.

Fred:

I never really stopped to think about it. But Holtz was gone then.

Willow:

He has a point. Somethings not right about her.

Fred:

We know that. Why do you think Angel was so intent on tracking her down?

Willow:

Well, I hope he’s having more luck than we are with this urn.

Cut to Cordy’s apartment

Anya:

Aaarrgghh!

Dawn:

No luck?

Anya:

I can’t get to him. I don’t understand.

Giles:

I told you it was too soon.

Anya:

I think I know a little more about this than you! I have 1100 years under my belt.

Giles:

Yes, and you have nearly five as a human of late. A demon’s one track psyche is nothing compared to the quagmire that is humanity.

Dawn:

I think you’ve been at this too long Giles. You’re pep talks lack a certain…pep.

Giles:

I apologize ladies. I’m afraid I’m going a bit stir crazy in this place. (something rattles off camera) No offense!

Anya:

Please don’t tick off the poltergeist Giles.

Dawn:

It won’t be long now. They’ll all be back soon and…what is the plan after that?

Giles:

I presume it would depend on what and who comes back.

Dawn:

I can’t believe this. What else can possibly happen?

Anya:

Don’t ask that!

Giles:

I know its difficult but everything happens for a reason. You have to believe that we were all meant to be here…together…for a reason.

Dawn:

Unless the reason is misery, I’m not buying it.

Anya:

I have to so something.

Giles:

It hasn’t even been five minutes.

Anya:

I have to do something!

Dawn:

Let her try. This waiting is killing me.

The lights in the apartment flicker.

Anya:

What? Now the ghost gets a vote?

The lights go off completely and the three wait for another occurrence. Suddenly, there’s a brisk knock on the door that causes them all to jump.

Cut to tunnel

Gunn:

What’s going on Wesley?

The five remaining men prepare to battle scanning their opponents.

Wesley:

I believe you know that answer Charles.

Connor:

He’s after the urn. He wants to take it to that place.

Buffy:

Is this some kind of joke?

Angel:

Connor, you and Xander go on. Take Justine with you.

Justine:

What?

Wesley:

No one’s going anywhere.

Angel:

The odds are already in our favor Wesley. You don’t want Connor in the equation. Or did you already forget what fighting him feels like? Let them go on. They have to leave this way as well. No one will get past unless you allow them…or you’re not around.

Wes looks at Angel and then nods his head slightly to the men. Angel pushes Justine along the wall and she walks to join Xander and Connor.

Xander:

Buffy?

Buffy:

Go. Get what you came for.

The three walk away.

Wesley:

(looks at Spike behind Angel)

Well Angel, you’ve come a long way. The one who nearly had you tortured ot death is now watching your back.

Angel:

It’s not like I trust him. I won’t ever make that mistake again. (pauses for effect) What is the saying about keeping enemies close?

Wesley:

H yes. I know it well. I guess we would be like brothers then wouldn’t we?

Buffy:

What is this Wesley? Whatever happened between you and Angel is not worth what your risking here.

Wesley:

And what about your risk Buffy?

Buffy:

What?

Wesley:

Surely you see the precariousness of your situation. Are you really willing to battle to the death for someone who couldn’t even do you the courtesy of a phone call when he became a father? Of which I believe was the most touted excuse he gave for abandoning you?

Angel:

(menacingly calm)

Shut up Wesley.

Spike;

Why don’t you let the man speak? He has a good point.

Wesley:

Why am I not surprised you would encourage me?

Buffy:

What’s happened to you Wesley? How can you work for these people?

Wesley:

Haven’t you heard Buffy? We’re not all chosen ones. The job market’s not what it used to be. One must take advantage of every opportunity.

Angel:

You had a job.

Wes:

Yes I did. Then that job very nearly got me killed. After which my co-worker tried to finish the job. All in the name of love.

Angel:

You would have done the same thing.

Wes:

Actually I wouldn’t. But that’s not the issue.

Buffy:

What is the issue then?

Wes:

I thought it was clear.

Angel:

I really hope this is another bad idea of yours Wes and that you’re trying to do the right thing in your usual perverse and way off target manner.

Wes:

I am so tired of your high and mighty attitude! You’re a bloody vampire Angel! You survive off blood! You drank the blood of your own son!

Buffy’s intake of breath is sharp and loud.

Angel:

(still deadly calm)

You know that was thanks to your new boss.

Wesley:

Yes. I know. Poor Angel. Darla made him a vampire. Poor Angel cursed by the gypsies. Poor Angel tortured by his love for Buffy. Poor Angel. Had to give up on love to save the world and right his wrongs. It’s always beyond your control isn’t it Angel? And now Buffy’s been dragged into your mess once again. She’s here because she’s convenient. You’re using her just like you use all of us to get what you want.

Angel:

Fascinating Wesley. You’ve really outdone yourself. But tell me…what is it that I want so badly that I need to use Buffy or anyone else?

Wesley:

Are you sure you want to do this right now? I don’t think you’re prepared for Buffy to hear the truth.

Spike:

Bloody hell! Just say it or fight! I’m sick of hearing you two go on!

Angel:

I vote fighting. How about you boys?

The men begin to step forward.

Wesley:

I figured as much.

Buffy:

Ok wait one minute.

One man doesn’t listen and Buffy sees him coming forward. She steps up and takes a hard backhand with barely a break in stride. She raises an arm to block the next blow and delivers a quick jab to his throat. He drops down with hands around his throat trying to breath.

Buffy:

(looking at others)

I said wait one minute.

Angel:

Buffy…

Buffy:

(holds up hand)

Wesley tell me what you’re getting at. What am I being used for?

Wesley:

Come now Angel. Why make me say it? Tell Buffy here why it never occurred to you to tell her about Connor. Why after everything that’s happened, all the pain you’ve been in, you haven’t needed to go to her.

Angel:

I’m warning you Wesley.

Gunn:

Angel…

Wesley:

It’s Cordelia Buffy. Angel has Cordelia now. You aren’t needed here any longer…or wanted.

Buffy turns to Angel in shock and he won’t look at her. Instead he grows furious with rage and lunges for Wesley. Several scattered yells and sounds are heard as combat begins.

Cut to Lair

Xander, Connor and Justine all walk into the lair and Skip steps up ready to attack.

Skip:

What are you doing here?

Xander:

Where’s Willow?

Willow:

(stepping up from shadow)

I’m here Xander. How did you find us?

Xander:

Long story. Did you find the urn?

Fred:

No. I don’t know what Just…Justine.

Justine:

I put it somewhere safe.

Skip:

It isn’t safe unless we have it.

Connor:

Get it.

Justine:

Connor you don’t know what the risks are.

Connor:

I know what the risk is if you don’t get it.

Justine looks around for a second and then steps away to get the urn.

Skip:

Where are the others? Did they find Cordelia?

{Cordy: Not quite.}

Xander:

Would you please stop doing that?

{Cordy: Shut up you big baby! Like I have a lot of control over this!}

Willow:

Xander?

Xander:

I found her alright.

Skip:

I don’t see her.

{Cordy: (Stepping up behind Skip) Geez? What happened to your demon sense?

Skip:

I’m in the lair of one of what I can honestly say is the most powerful demons I’ve encountered. If this is what it feels like when he’s locked up, I don’t ever want to know what it’s like when he’s free.

Fred:

No you really don’t.

{Cordy: So why are you guys even here? I’m not getting a good feeling about this.}

Xander:

Join the club.

Connor:

We must hurry. The others might need us.

Justine walks in carrying the urn. Skip takes it.

Skip:

I’ll get this to Cordelia’s.

{Cordy: My place? You’re all going to my place? Why is everyone going to my place?}

Xander:

Let me guess. It’s the maid’s day off?

Fred:

Excuse me?

Connor:

I’m going back. They might need me.

Skip:

I’m right behind you.

{Cordy: Hey! Skip, you can’t just keep doing this! You don’t know what you’re dealing with. This guy Sajhan wreaked holy havoc on all of our lives! You can’t just take this thing into my house!}

Skip:

What do you care? You won’t even be there.

Cordy:

No, but everyone I love will be! No!

Skip looks at her in surprise at her tone and volume as she begins to glow. She seems confused at first but then reaches her arms out to pull the urn from Skips grasp. HE holds tight and it shakes violently in his arms.

Finally it comes loose and the room fills with the bright blinding light so no one can see what’s happening. When it dims the group looks around in wonder.

Xander:

Cordelia?

She doesn’t answer and Skip looks to his empty hands.

Willow:

What did she do? What happened?

Skip:

Uh-oh.

Fred:

Uh-oh. Why are you saying uh-oh?

Skip points to the floor. All eyes look down to see the lid to the urn lying alone in the dirt.

Fred:

Uh-oh.

Cut to Open Field

Cordelia looks around and tries to make sense of what happened. She notices the urn lying on its side on the ground a few feet away.

Cordy:

Uh-oh.

She walks slowly until she sees that the lid is missing. She closes her eyes and starts to turn around.

Cordy:

(to herself) It’s not what you think. It’s not what you think.

She stops and opens her eyes.

Sajhan:

Hello there beautiful. I guess I owe you a debt of gratitude.

She trembles at seeing him for the first time.

Fade to Black

 

Chapters:
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22]
[23]
[24]
[25]
[26]
[27]
[28]
[29]
[30]
[31]
[32]
[33]
[34]
[35]
[36]
[37]
[38]
[39]
[40]
[41]
[42]
[43]
[44]
[45]
[46]
[47]
[48]
[49]
[50]