A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 25

 

Fade in on Lair

Willow:

That’s the lid to the urn right?

Xander:

Looks like it.

Willow:

But the urn is gone.

Xander:

Pretty much.

Fred:

Skip? Did the urn go with Cordelia? Is she here?

Skip:

No she’s not here. And yeah, I’m thinking the urn is with her.

Justine:

If that’s the lid, then the urn is empty.

Xander:

You mean big creepie is with Cordelia?

Skip:

I have to go.

Willow:

Where are you going?

Skip:

To find her. The PTB won’t take kindly if They lose one of their own.

Xander:

I thought you couldn’t find her.

Skip:

But They can. You all get back. We’ll be in touch.

Before anyone can say anything else, he’s gone.

Xander:

Well it looks like just us untouched humans left.

Connor:

I’m going back.

He starts to go and Justine puts a hand on his arm.

Connor:

(shaking arm loose)

Don’t touch me.

Justine:

I know you’re angry with me. But if there’s one thing I can do, it’s watch your back.

Connor:

I don’t need your help.

Fred:

None of us do.

Justine:

Well you don’t have a choice. I’m not going to let anything happen to Stephen. He’s all that’s left of Holtz. The man may have gone about it the wrong way, but he was trying to honor his family.

Willow:

By killing himself to frame Angel so Connor would have to live with what he did for the rest of his life?

Justine:

Like I said, wrong way.

Xander:

Let’s just go. Buffy might need our help. Wesley’s lost it.

Willow:

Wesley?

Connor and Xander take off down the tunnel leaving the girls to follow behind.

Cut to Cordy’s apartment

Giles:

Stand back!

He pushes the girls to the center of the room. Another loud knock is more insistent.

Anya:

(whispers)

Who is it?

Dawn:

Why don’t you do your orb thingie and go see?

Giles:

That won’t be necessary. This is an old building. The lights are probably in need of repair. I’m sure its one of the others returning or maybe all of them.

He turns and scans the room. As he moves towards the door, he picks up a gaudy bronze bust from an endtable to use as a weapon.

Anya:

What’s that for?

Dawn:

Ssshh.

Giles raises his arm up and tries to see outside, but it’s too dark. He swings the door open and prepares to strike. All he sees is horns and delivers a blow. The bust makes contact with the bat and Giles stumbles back in surprise.

Lorne:

Whoa! Have you lost your mind?

He lowers his arms that were holding the bat over his head and starts rubbing one of his shoulders.

Lorne:

Is this a normal Sunnydale hello or am I just special?

Giles:

Lorne? Lorne! (steps aside) I’m so sorry. I couldn’t see and then the light hit the horns and I thought…

Lorne:

Yeah, yeah. Don’t bother. (looks around) What’s with the lacking in the light department?

Anya:

We thought you did it.

Lorne:

Me? Why would I….? (smiles) Dennis! You crazy kid! (laughs) Are you playing games with the newbies?

The lights come on and Lorne looks to the three smiling.

Lorne:

I see Dennis has been keeping you entertained.

Giles:

Yes, he’s a regular Benny Hill.

Dawn:

Who?

Lorne:

Never mind sweets. It’s a bad comparison.

Anya:

What are you doing here? Where are the others?

 

Lorne:

Angel sent me to help here. He and the rest headed out to stop the others from letting that nasty thing loose. Any word form Cordelia?

Dawn:

No we haven’t heard anything from anyone.

Anya:

Xander went after her. What if something happened?

Giles:

Don’t worry Anya. Cordy is capable of taking care of herself and whoever else she may need to.

Cut to field

Sajhan:

So where are we?

Cordy:

How am I supposed to know?

Sajhan:

Didn’t you bring us here?

Cordy:

I brought the urn here. You weren’t supposed to be out of it. (looks closer) What si up with your face?

Sajhan:

You’re gonna judge my skin…with that hair?

Cordy:

(smoothing hair)

hey! It’s not like I have a mirror up here!

Sajhan:

Then I guess we’re both lucky. (pauses) You’re with Angel. How did you find me here?

Cordy:

I didn’t. My friends did. I just took you from them.

Sajhan:

Why?

Cordy:

I’m not really sure. I just couldn’t let them hold you there. It wasn’t safe.

Sajhan:

And what of you? Your safety?

Cordy:

(tilts chin up defiantly)

You don’t scare me! I’m a higher being buddy! Hand picked by the Powers that Be.

Sajhan:

Hand picked for what?

Cordy:

Well…um…that’s still not exactly clear. (Sajhan smirks) But don’t be mistaken. I can pick me to kick you’re ass all by myself!

Sajhan:

Angel put you up to this didn’t he? I knew I should have killed him quicker.

Cordy:

First of all, you’ll be killing no one. Especially Angel or Connor and second…

Sajhan:

What did you say?

Cordy:

I said I don’t care how big and ugly you are, you will not kill anyone.

Sajhan:

The child. Angel’s child. He’s already dead. I saw him taken in to the Quortoth.

Cordy:

Ok, hello? Where’ve you been? (pauses) oh yeah. (eyes widen) You thought Connor would die, that he would be destroyed in the Quortoth!

Sajhan:

No one survives the Quortoth.

Cordy:

(smirks)

But we’re not talking about just anyone. We’re talking about Angel’s son. A child sired by two vampires! This kid has a destiny. One that even you can’t comprehend.

Sajhan:

(speaking quietly)

It is you who doesn’t comprehend. If the child lives and is back with the vampire with a soul, his destiny is more than anyone or anything in any dimension or any world can ever comprehend.

Cordelia starts to argue but something stops her.

Cut to tunnel

Angel has managed to throw off his first attacker and has Wesley pinned against the wall with his forearm across Wes’ throat.

Angel:

That was the last mistake you’ll make Wesley.

Wesley:

(barely able to speak)

Very…well.

Buffy:

Angel!

Angel turns his head to see 2 men on Buffy. One has her arms pinned behind her back and the other is pummeling her. She kicks a leg out to stop the assault from the front and steps off the shoulder as he falls to the ground. She pushes off and flips over twisting her arms loose and lands behind the other.

At that moment, Spike slams the head of his opponent into the hard dirt and rock wall. The sound of crushing bone is heard and the body falls to the floor unmoving.

Spike:

Buffy!

He rushes forward as Buffy’s guy turns to attack her once again.

Wesley:

At least someone has the girls best interest at heart.

Angel:

Why do you want to die?

Wesley:

I don’t want to..but I will if that’s what it takes.

Spike is blindsided by the one Buffy kicked as he tries to get to her. He hits the wall hard and vamps out before growling and rushing to tackle the man.

Buffy dodges the first two punches but is caught by the third. Her head snaps back and she tastes blood. She delivers several quick jabs but each is blocked. He picks her up over his head and she struggles in vain. In the corner a large stone protrudes from the wall. He eyes it as a target.

Wesley:

(reaches to hold Angel’s forearm as it rests loosely on his windpipe)

What will it be? Kill me or save her?

Angel looks from Wes to Buffy and back to Wes. Frustrated he throws Wes aside when he sees Buffy being drawn back further in the mans arms. He steps in front of the stone at the moment of release. Buffy hits him square in the chest and he falls backwards holding her tight against him.

Spike is having a bit of trouble with his attacker and the last descends upon the pair still trying to right themselves. Out of nowhere, the guard is yanked away and Buffy looks up to see Connor begin to fight.

Spike is backed against a wall when Xander tackles the man on him from the side.

Connor only gets one hit in when his feet are knocked out from underneath him. The man pulls a baton from his belt and raises his arm. Justine is there in an instant and pulls the arm to turn quickly sideways. The bone breaks and he howls in pain. Justine gives Connor a hand up as the man falls.

Spike pulls the last one off Xander and spins him just in time for a head butt. They both stumble backwards. Connor, Xander, Justine, and Willow all come up behind Spike and glare at him. The man sees he has no chance and grabs the good arm of the only one left before running out of the tunnel.

Spike morphs back to human and looks at Xander.

Spike:

I suppose you expect a thank you or something.

Xander:

You’re welcome.

Buffy is kneeling beside Angel who is still leaning against the stone he landed on. She pulls his arm and he groans. Leaning over him, she looks to see blood on the rock.

Buffy:

You’re hurt.

Angel:

I’ll be fine. Just give me a minute.

Buffy:

Let me see.

Angel:

Don’t pull!

Connor:

(walking over)

Are you okay?

Angel:

(smiles a bit)

Yeah. Just a scrape.

Buffy:

He can’t get up.

Angel:

I didn’t say that! (he leans forward and winces but continues until he stands) See?

Connor:

The urn is gone.

Angel:

What do you mean gone? Justine?

Justine:

Don’t look at me! I had it until your invisible girlfriend got involved.

Xander:

Girlfriend?

Angel:

Watch it Justine.

Buffy:

She makes a valid point.

Spike:

What was that?

Willow:

Spike, why don’t you take me out and the others can catch up?

Fred:

We should all go. The others will be worried.

Gunn:

Not as much as I was about you.

Fred:

Charles!

They hug excitedly and the others seem uncomfortable.

Xander:

Where did you run off to?

Gunn:

I tried to follow Wes, but I lost him.

Spike:

So you leave in the middle of a battle? This happen a lot with your people Angel?

Angel:

Shut up Spike.

Buffy:

(quietly to Angel)

I want to know the truth.

Angel:

About?

Buffy:

What Wesley said.

Angel:

Can we do this later? I’m kind of bleeding here.

Buffy:

I won’t keep you long. Just tell me he was lying.

Angel:

Buffy, Wes is working for Wolfram and Hart. You have no idea how bad that is and what that means.

Buffy:

That’s not saying he’s lying. Is it true Angel? Is what I thought before true? Are you and Cordelia…involved?

Angel just looks at her and swallows hard. He grimaces in pain and looks away.

Buffy:

Oh.

She takes a step back.

Angel:

Buffy.

She turns and runs into Spike. He looks down at her and she is obviously upset. She rushes past him and the others out of the tunnel. Spike exchanges a look with Angel and walks out after Buffy.

Xander:

Was that…?

Fred:

(steps to Angel)

Let’s get you home.

Angel leans on her and Connor and they make their way past a still dumbfounded Xander. Willow pulls Xander by the arm to follow behind. Gunn brings up the rear.

Xander:

Angel? And Cordelia? It’s a mistake right? I mean it’s gotta be a mistake.

Willow:

Sure Xander. It will all get straightened out. I’m sure of it. Wait till he finds about about this. (She holds up the lid to the urn)

Gunn raises an eyebrow but remains silent.

After they are gone, Wes steps from his hiding place in another tunnel vein.

Wesley:

So the urn has been opened. Things just might get very interesting very soon.

He pulls a cell out of his pocket and dials a number.

Wesley:

Lilah? Yes, its me. (begins walking out of the tunnel slowly) I have good news and bad news. Which would you like first?

Cut to Field

Cordy:

This is just one of your tricks again to make me let you hurt them.

Sajhan:

I really don’t need tricks here Lady. I told Angel the boy had big things coming. I wasn’t lying.

Cordy:

One of which was to wipe your sorry butt off the face of the earth.

Sajhan:

You’re right. Hey, I never said I wasn’t self-preserving. What demon isn’t?

Cordy:

Not the ones I hang out with…for the most part.

Sajhan:

I wanted the kid dead. He would be my end in the future. But my selfish nature happened to be working for the good of man on this one. I was just the first in a long line of big time offs this kid would achieve. What? You think your precious powers would have let me flit in and out of time and dimension if I didn’t have something to offer them? They don’t take kindly to the dark side running free interdimensionally.

Cordy:

Why should I believe you?

Sajhan:

You shouldn’t.

Cordy:

So we agree then.

Sajhan:

Sure. We agree. I’ll stay up here with you while your worst nightmares come to life in your friend’s laps. Tell you what, why don’t you pop down and grab my lid. I’d rather be in the resikhian urn than anywhere near what’s going to happen.

Cordy:

And let me guess. If I take you back to where they are, you could stop it. Whatever you say is going to happen, do you have the power to stop it?

Sajhan:

I’m afraid not. But I have a feeling I know who does.

Cordy:

We are not calling forth some evil demon friend of yours!

Sajhan:

Don’t worry. What’s needed is already here.

Cordy looks around behind her and sees nothing.

Cordy:

Who?

Sajhan:

You.

Fade to Black.