A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 26

 

Fade in on deserted street

Buffy is walking along visibly upset. Spike runs up alongside her.

Buffy:

Not now Spike. Please.

Spike:

Come now Slayer. You know I don’t take orders well.

Buffy:

I’m not giving an order. I’m asking.

Spike:

I really don’t see what the big tragedy is love. You weren’t exactly pining last time I checked.

She stops and turns to face him.

Buffy:

That’s not the point. He left me because he said he couldn’t bear to keep me from a normal life. But that wasn’t it at all. He only said it to shut me up. Now he’s got Cordelia. Cordelia!

Spike:

And what have you got?

Buffy:

(pauses then walks again) The same thing I had the day he left, nothing. Angel’s moved on and I’m still going in circles. Every day I feel like I’m one step closer to being back where I started.

Spike:

Then we have something else in common.

Buffy:

What?

Spike:

Not to detract from the importance of Angel’s love life Buffy. But I have a soul. Talk about coming full bloody circle!

Buffy:

But you’re not human. You are a vampire Spike. That will never change.

Spike:

And you’ll never let me forget it will you?

Buffy:

It’s not like I’m the only one noticing. Ask those guys back there if you having a soul chang…(she stops speaking)

Spike:

What? Is something wrong? (he looks around for company)

Buffy:

You fought them. Those guys. Spike, they were just guys and you fought them. The chip?

Spike:

I guess I didn’t notice. I mean, the guys, not the chip. It’s still there if that’s what you’re getting at.

Buffy:

They were human Spike. You didn’t have any pain when you were fighting humans.

Spike:

I know. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Everything is different now. For all of us.

Buffy:

And what do you think should happen next? I mean, you heard the others. You might have affected ancient prophecies.

Spike:

Or maybe I will fulfill them.

Buffy:

How so?

Spike:

The word is prophecy Buffy. As in events destined to come to pass. What if this shanshu deal has been about me all along? What if I’m the one chosen to become human? What then?

Cut to Field

Cordy:

Me what?

Sajhan:

You said it yourself. You were hand picked, but not sure for what.

Cordy:

Yeah, but I know it was to help people, not kill them! Especially my friends!

Sajhan:

Haven’t you learned yet how insignificant you are in the big picture? The Powers on both sides come from a place you and I will never understand.

Cordy has a flashback.

{Woman:

You will be the one to decide the fate of many.

Cordy:

I will?

Woman:

A reward never comes without a price…And when given a choice you will never understand, you must choose blindly, from a place you have not yet tapped.}

Cordy:

No.

Sajhan:

No what? Did you remember something?

Cordy:

(shaking head and pointing a finger)

You’re playing games! You want me to do your dirty work for you just like you wanted Holtz to. But I’m not that stupid!

Sajhan:

Listen I really don’t care if you believe me or not. But its either one or both. You got it? One for all and all for one. One of them must die or everyone else will.

Cordy:

Shut up!

This time when she raises her arm to point, Sajhan floats up in the air and seems quite surprised.

Sajhan:

You don’t want to get into this with me.

Cordy drops her hand and Sajhan falls to the ground hard.

Cordy:

You’re real? I thought you were supposed to be immaterial.

Sajhan:

Someone’s been doing their homework. But you missed the part where your boyfriend called me forth with the black magick. I was corporeal again until the bitch put me in the urn. So now, I’m corporeal here with you.

Cordy:

Which means you can’t go anywhere.

Sajhan:

I wouldn’t’ be so sure of that.

Cordy:

You can only go where I take you. And sorry to say, but I’m not going anywhere.

Sajhan stands and brushes himself off. He walks closer to her and when he’s close enough he backhands her before she sees it coming.

A clap of thunder shakes the ground as Cordelia lands and covers her ears. She stands slowly.

Cordelia:

That really wasn’t a good idea.

Sajhan:

Neither is keeping me where I don’t want to be.

They face off.

Cut to Cordy’s

Camera on door as it opens from the inside.

Angel stumbles in still leaning on Fred.

Giles:

What happened?

Angel sits slowly on the couch.

Willow:

He was hurt in the fight.

Anya:

Where’s Xander?

Xander:

(coming through door with Justine)

I’m here.

Anya rushes with a smile but stops short of giving him a hug.

Anya:

Its about time.

Fred:

I’ll get some bandages and supplies.

Gunn:

I’ll help.

Lorne:

Please tell me your injury isn’t a welcome back from Sajhan.

Connor:

No, it was the men with Wesley. They did it.

Lorne:

Wesley?

Dawn:

Where’s Buffy?

Angel looks up.

Angel:

You mean she’s not here?

Giles:

Here, lets have a look Angel.

Angel grimaces and groans as he takes the bloody shirt off. At this point, everyone begins talking, no one actually listening to anyone else.

Dawn:

Why didn’t Buffy come back with you?

Justine:

She had her little heart broken.

Angel:

Shut your mouth.

Dawn:

What does that mean?

Xander:

It means that Angel was hiding more than a son from Buff.

Angel:

And what exactly about this bothers you Xander?

Anya:

Xander?

Dawn:

I can’t believe you did this to her again!

Angel:

Why does everyone assume the worst?

Giles:

Angel, hold still before the wound tears more. I’m sure…

Xander:

Anya, I know you’re not trying to play jealous now. Not after your table jock with Spike.

Justine:

(laughs)

Whoa.

Willow:

Guys, I really think…

Dawn:

Is Spike with Buffy?

Angel:

Where else would he be?

Willow:

Guys! (Everyone looks at her) Another issue to address.

She holds up the lid.

Cut to Street

Buffy:

Nothings that simple Spike.

Spike:

No, I suppose not. It never is, is it?

Buffy:

I don’t understand this. How did you get a soul? Is it…is it another curse?

Spike:

(smirks)

Oh no. That’s Angel’s play. I earned this Buffy. It was a reward.

Buffy:

A reward for what? Years of diligent evil followed by forced non-violence?

Spike:

Or maybe for managing to put up with you! (he glares at her and she doesn’t respond) Oh bugger this!

He starts ahead down the street and she watches for a second. Not sure what to do.

Buffy:

Spike, wait!

He stops and doesn’t turn to look at her. She walks around to face him.

Buffy:

I…I’m not sure how to react here. I’ve had a helluva couple days and I don’t know what disaster to tackle first.

Spike:

Wel, let me and my disaster get out of your way. Maybe it’s the soul talking, but I’m not in the mood to be your whipping boy anymore. Go find Angel, Buffy. Have your melodrama and leave me out of it.

Buffy:

So you’re leaving? Just like that? You leave Sunnydale, all hell breaks loose, you show back up with a soul, turn my life and possibly several others upside down, and now you’re leaving? Perfect.

Spike:

What do you want from me?

Buffy:

Nothing! I don’t want anything from you or anyone else. I just want to…

Spike:

Don’t sing the normal song Buffy. You’ve been screaming about being a normal girl for years, it’s never going to happen! Do you think it’s only you? What about your friends? They aren’t the chosen ones. But they chose to be your friends and got involved in all of this. And do they complain and whine every bleeding day about how much easier life would be if only? No, they do what they can. Because that’s all any of us can do. Is it fair? Is it just? Or is it just the way it is? You wanna feel sorry for yourself and just get by for the rest of your days, be my guest. But I’m done watching from the sidelines. I have a second chance here, and I intend to take it. With or without you.

Buffy:

What do you expect after what you did? After what you almost did?

Spike:

(eyes narrow at the painful words)

It wasn’t me.

Buffy:

Don’t say that! It was you! Just like it was me that went along with it for almost a year! Don’t try and pretend that you had no control. If anyone should claim that, it should be me.

Spike:

Oh yeah, poor Buffy dragged from the happily ever afterlife so she went slumming for a bit.

Buffy:

You know what happened…with us, was not healthy. You have to know that. Especially now.

Spike:

It’s not really important right now. You have something you have to work out, and I want no part of it. I can’t be part of it anymore.

He turns and walks away as Buffy stares after him in shock. She stays silent as he turns the corner and disappears from view.

Around the corner, Spike is talking to himself.

Spike:

That’s right Slayer. This time you’ll have to come after me. A man’s got to have some pride. (pauses and stops walking) I’m not worried. She’ll come. He doesn’t want her anymore. And he wouldn’t know what to do with her if he got her. (starts walking again) No, I’m the only one who’ll be there in the end. She’ll see soon enough.

A hand reaches up from behind and Spike is tasered falling unconscious to the ground.

Lilah:

(smiling and stepping from the shadows)

Maybe not quite soon enough. Bring him boys.

Several men come forward to lift him and carry him into a waiting van. Lilah steps in after he’s secure and Wes watches from inside.

Lilah:

I thought we were gonna have to take both of them. What’s with the Slayer and her choice in lovers? Has she got issues or what?

She sits and the van pulls away. Wes looks down at the gagged and bound Spike.

Wesley:

(mumbles)

Or what.

Cut to Field

Cordy:

I’m not scared of you.

Sajhan:

Good for you. I’m not the one to fear.

Cordy:

If Connor has turned into some kind of monster, its because you opened that portal and Holtz took him in there. It’s not his fault!

Sajhan:

That’s good. Keep blaming the dead guy and the demon. Whatever. Meanwhile, no telling what is happening down there.

Cordy:

I’m not taking you.

Sajhan:

Whatever. I’ll find my own way out.

He turns and stomps off in the opposite direction.

Cordy:

Fine! You just go try! Good riddance!

She crosses her arms and closes her eyes out of aggravation. The womans words keep repeating themselves in her head.

Cordelia:

It can’t be. I can’t be the one…It can’t be about them. (pauses) What is going on down there?

Cut to Cordy’s place.

Angel:

What do you mean it just fell off?

Justine:

I think its pretty self explanatory. The girl showed up, took it from the demon guy and left the lid behind.

Giles:

So this Sajhan is now free? And with Cordelia?

Xander:

Yet one more girl who trusted Angel that is now in immeasurable danger.

Angel:

Would you just shut up?

Anya:

Stop that!

Xander:

Thanks.

Anya:

Not him, you. Why are you so concerned about her all the sudden? What are you trying to get back at me?

Xander:

Oh yes Anya. This is all an elaborate scheme to make you want me again.

Willow:

Maybe we should try and contact her.

Lorne:

Don’t look at me. She’s in a place way out of my realm.

Angel:

I thought you said Skip went after her.

Connor:

He said he knew who could find her. The Powers.

Angel:

So then we have to wait. No one else can find her. (pauses) What?

Fred:

(jerking a bit at his tone)

I was just…I mean I thought…

Gunn:

What is it honey?

Fred:

(points)

He maybe could.

Xander sees she’s pointing at him but turns around as if to look for someone else.

Angel:

You’re kidding right?

Fred:

She speaks to him. He heard her before Skip even knew she was there. They have a connection.

Anya looks at Xander and then walks away in a huff.

Xander:

Ok, I think ‘connection’ might be a too strong of a term.

Angel:

I agree.

Xander:

(annoyed)

But I could be wrong.

He and Angel exchange a look. Giles clears his throat.

Giles:

Perhaps it is worth the effort.

Lorne:

Human in contact with a higher being? I thought that usually made one’s head explode.

Xander:

What? (holds head) Explode? He’s kidding right?

Anya:

(smirks and steps forward)

I’m sure its an exaggeration. Go ahead, try and we’ll see.

Xander:

Oh sure. You want my head to explode so I can’t look at another woman ever again!

Angel:

So there’s an upside to this after all.

Xander:

Shut up!

{Cordy: Don’t talk to him like that!}

Xander jumps back as if on fire.

Willow:

Xander?

Xander:

She’s here.

Giles:

Who?

Xander:

Cordelia.

Lorne:

Just like that. Where is she?

Xander:

I don’t get a visual, just the voice. That annoying sarcastic voice.

{Cordy: Watch it Xander Harris. I can do serious damage if you piss me off.}

Xander:

You mean more than you did in high school? Not likely.

Angel:

Cordelia? Can you hear me?

{Cordy: Yes, Angel. I’m so sorry about all of this. I want to help.}

Xander:

She hears you.

{Cordy: Tell him what I said!}

Xander:

Stop yelling at me, Harpie!

Gunn:

I know the feeling.

Fred:

Charles!

Gunn:

What? (shrugs) Cordelia does have a way with the nag.

{Cordy: I can hear you too Gunn!}

Willow:

Ask her about the urn.

{Cordy: Ok again, not deaf. (pause) just mute.}

Xander:

Not mute enough.

{Cordy: Ignoring now. Angel, Sajhan is out of the urn. He’s not corporeal though. But he’s not happy about Connor being home.}

Xander:

Slow down.

Angel:

What is she saying?

Xander:

(using hands nervously as he speaks)

Sajhan’s out. Something about corporeal. And he’s upset that Connor’s back.

Giles:

He is corporeal or isn’t?

{Cordy: Is.}

Xander:

Is.

Angel:

Well where is he? Is he hurting her?

{Cordy: No! He’s no danger to me. I showed him a thing or two about messing with me.}

Xander:

She’s fine.

Angel:

Why wont she talk to me?

{Cordy: I don’t know.}

Xander:

She doesn’t know. But believe me, I wish it was you not me.

Anya:

Really?

Cordy:

Do you think I’m enjoying this?

Angel:

Everyone leave.

Willow:

What?

Dawn:

I’m not going anywhere without Buffy.

Angel:

I mean, give me a minute. I need a minute with Cordelia.

Lorne:

Um, do you think this is the time?

Angel:

Lorne.

Giles:

Of course. We’ll go and check outside for any sign of Buffy or Spike.

He ushers Willow, Dawn, Anya, Lorne, Gunn, and Fred out of the room and out the back door.

Xander:

So I’ll just go.

Angel:

Don’t think so.

Xander:

I can’t do this. I can’t be the go between for you and Cordelia.

{Cordy: What is your deal? You know we work together.}

Xander:

Stop it. I’m not stupid.

Angel:

Xander, can you just try and pretend you’re a grown up?

Xander:

Oh that’s rich coming from you.

{Cordy: Tell him I said I’m keeping Sajhan away from him and Connor.}

Xander:

She said she’s protecting you and Connor from Sajhan.

Angel:

I want you home Cordelia. I…we need you.

Xander rolls his eyes.

{Cordy: It’s not up to me Angel. But I would if I could. You have to believe that.}

Xander:

She wants to. But it’s not her decision.

Angel:

(stands and buttons his shirt)

I don’t think I can do this without you. I tried once before and lost everything. I can’t do this alone.

Buffy:

That’s funny. I didn’t think you were.

Xander and Angel look at her in surprise.

{Cordy: Buffy.}