A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 30

 

Fade in on Cordy’s apartment

The four new friends sit in various stages of shock and contemplation around the room.

Fred:

How can it be?

Willow:

I guess you all really got invested in this thing.

Lorne:

You weren’t here. You didn’t see what went on between those two.

Dawn:

What exactly did go on between them? I mean, are they dating?

Fred:

Not exactly.

Willow:

Well then what exactly was it that made you so sure about this whole Angel/Cordelia destined to love and battle moira-kyrumption thing.

Lorne:

(frowns)

Well it wasn’t any one thing, it was more like a symphony of well placed notes if you will.

Willow:

I don’t think I will.

Fred:

(stands)

I know Buffy is really important to you and your friends. And she still means something to Angel I’m sure. Not to mention what she means to the world. But I know what I saw.

Lorne:

Listen, its not a matter of what any of us saw or thought we saw, we have to figure out what this means. If I’m right, and oh how I wish I weren’t. Something none of us can imagine is coming. Something that could very possibly change the path of all of us.

Willow:

So what do we do?

Dawn:

We find the others.

Fred:

They told us to stay.

Lorne:

We can’t go looking for them. We’ll only end up needing a good rescue and I believe they have previous engagements.

Dawn:

So what are you saying? We sit here and do nothing?

Fred:

We might be able to help.

Lorne:

I’m listening.

Fred:

You might not like it.

Lorne:

Why am I not surprised?

Willow:

What is it?

Fred:

We prove ourselves. Everyone has a purpose in this. Except us. If everything happens for a reason, then there has to be a reason we are here together. A reason that it was us to discover this.

Dawn:

(sarcastic)

Are you trying to say we have moira too?

Willow chuckles and Fred frowns.

Fred:

No. I just mean that we can help. We have power now.

Willow:

I want no part of power.

Lorne:

I don’t think she’s talking about mystical.

Dawn:

Then I’m in. Just tell me what to do.

Fred takes a deep breath and begins to explain her plan.

Cut to warehouse

Angel:

Drusilla. Don’t you ever learn?

Dru:

(walks to lean against the bars separating them)

Only what you taught me.

Xander:

She really knows how to raise the creep factor doesn’t she?

Anya:

I don’t think she’s going to let him go easily.

Dru:

He has what you do Angel. But still different. (smiles and reaches for Spike) Better, stronger, it’s what he always dreamed. Is he now?

Angel watches without answering as she strokes Spike’s face.

Buffy:

(walking to stand in front of the cage)

So what’s your sitch Dru? Is it the scorned woman bit? Cause it’s really not working for me.

Dru:

(vamps out)

I’ll show you scorn.

Connor steps behind Buffy and Dru suddenly jumps back as if burned and grabs her head.

Dru:

What is it? Spinning in my chest, pulling. Something new and still so old!

Buffy:

Huh?

Spike:

Buffy, just get out. Take your…friends and get out.

Gunn:

(Loud)

Well you heard the man! I say we respect his wishes.

Buffy:

I’m not leaving here without you.

Angel:

Connor, step back.

Dru:

(stops and looks at Connor)

It’s you. I know you. You’re pieces of them. How did they make pieces?

Spike:

Dru…

Dru:

Hush Pet! It won’t work if you interrupt.

Xander:

(whispers to Angel)

Are we gonna do something here?

Angel:

(steps forward and meets Buffy’s eyes for a minute)

How’d you get in the cage Dru? Did they catch you too?

Dru:

Eenie-meanie-miney-mo. Catch a tiger by the toe. (growls) No Angel, I had to come. He’s my boy after all. (to Buffy) You’ll do well to remember that.

Angel:

So you’re working with them. I gotta tell you Dru. I’m disappointed. I thought I taught you better.

Dru:

(angry-shaking)

You taught me. You sent the fire after me and Grandmum. You’re worse than him Angel. She doesn’t even want you. No one wants the cursed one.

Buffy:

Are you finished yet?

Dru:

(spins and walks to just inches from Buffy)

I saw what you did. (puts a finger to her own temple) I see it all in here. He’s part of me you see. His blood runs through me. You don’t know such things. Did you tell father what you did? Passion, violence, naughty things.

Buffy is visibly bothered by Dru’s words.

Connor:

We have no time left. If she gets in the way, kill her.

Angel steps up to the cage door and the lock next to Connor.

Angel:

Last chance Dru.

Dru:

(mimics in sing song voice)

Last chance. Last chance.

Connor and Angel grab hold of the door and pull. In a short burst of strength the lock gives and the door swings open.

Dru still vamped out growls and cries out heading for Buffy. She tackles her and straddles her bending to bite. Angel pulls her from Buffy in an instant and throws her through the air landing at Giles feet.

Giles:

(pulling out cross and pressing it to her forehead)

Uh-uh Drusilla. Must play nice.

She wimpers as the smoke rises from her skin.

Spike:

What are we going to do with her?

Buffy:

Do you care?

Spike:

I’m not made of stone Buffy. The girl was my everything long before…

Xander:

(interrupting)

Spike may be right on this one!

Angel:

Do you just enjoy taking his side?

Xander:

(smirks)

Only when you’re on the other one Angel.

Buffy:

Giles, you okay?

Giles:

For a moment.

Buffy:

What are you saying Xander?

Xander:

Well, I’m just thinking, Angelus’ former mind toy, not the best thing running loose. But Angelus’ former…

Angel:

(sternly)

We get it.

Xander:

Right. Like I was saying, her running loose on behalf of the Psycho Squad formerly known as Wolfram and Hart…even worse.

Spike:

So we take her with us.

Buffy:

Oh right. And waste all of our time fending off her various attacks. That should work out great.

Gunn:

I know we’re all under a lot of pressure here but I just have to ask. Why don’t we just take her out?

Anya:

Valid question.

Giles:

Buffy?

Buffy turns to see Giles struggling to keep the upper hand on Dru. She walks over to kick her once in the gut and then place a boot across her throat. Spike seems conflicted about how to react.

Cut to Lobby

Wesley:

Quite the bag of tricks you’ve got now Cordy.

Cordy:

You haven’t seen the half of it.

Lilah:

So what’s with bringing him here?

Sajhan:

What? You’re not happy to see me? Oh I get it, you found yourself a new patner in crime and you think you don’t need Sajhan anymore.

Lilah:

I never needed you.

Justine:

Hello? Am I the only one seeing the absolute wrongness of this situation?

Cordy:

(pointing)

Listen here Missy, you don’t want me to notice you right now. Not after what you did.

Justine shrinks a bit and closes her mouth.

Skip:

What’s with coming here?

Sajhan:

Good question. I thought we were going to Angel and the boy.

Cordy:

I think I was pretty clear about the no killing of my friends point Buddy.You’ve been here two minutes and you’ve already racked up one in the dead column. Don’t make me…

Wesley:

What? Glow really bright? Oh, we better watch out. Cordelia here is a human night light.

Cordy:

(seems hurt)

What’s happened to you Wesley? How could you have gone this far away from everything you were?

Lilah:

As touching as this all is, we have somewhere to be.

She takes Wes by the arm and begins to back up towards the door.

Cordy:

As if! You two aren’t going anywhere!

Wesley:

Aren’t you anxious to get back to the hotel? Last I saw, Buffy was having quite the reunion with Angel. I’d say it was just like old times.

Cordy stops and ponders what he’s saying. Wesley smiles.

Skip:

He’s trying to distract you. Don’t do it Cordelia. It’s not why you’re here.

Justine:

Yeah, distraction? That was my job.

Lilah and Wes look at her along with the others as she smiles proudly.

Cut to Warehouse

Spike:

Buffy no.

Buffy looks up still not moving her foot.

Angel:

Looks like Spike hasn’t put his past to rest yet. Guess you’re still adjusting to that pesky soul huh?

Buffy:

Angel don’t.

Spike:

You can’t just kill her Buffy. It’s not how you work.

Buffy:

You don’t know how I work.

Spike:

(sees her glance at Angel)

Oh right. Whatver, listen, just get out of here. Leave Dru to me. That Wesley chap and his new girlfriend aren’t going to be much longer. I suggest you take yourselves out f the equation.

Anya:

He’s right! We have to get out of here.

Xander:

I don’t think it’s your call.

Anya:

(irritated)

Of course not! Buffy gets to decide when we leave, when we stay and apparently when we die. I get it. But maybe she could decide a bit faster?

Buffy:

Angel?

Angel:

We could take Lilah and Wes easily, but they probably won’t come alone. It could get messy. We should go.

Giles:

I concur.

Gunn:

Great. I second it, so we’ve done the democratic thing here. Can we go now?

Buffy:

(looks down at Dru under her foot)

Well? What’ll it be? You wanna play nice or should I finish it now?

She raises a stake and Dru squirms and squeals in anger.

Spike:

Just go.

Buffy:

Not gonna happen Spike. (looks at Giles) Can you go ahead with the others and ready a secure place to hold her?

Giles:

I don’t know the best locations around here.

Gunn:

I do. We can hold her in the hotel. Training room.

Angel:

Oh yes, lets put her where all the weapons are.

Xander:

I think we can handle rounding up weapons and locking them away someplace safe.

Angel:

Alright. But Connor you go with them. You have some experience in keeping a vampire from escape.

Connor:

(swallows hard against the pain of Angel’s words)

I…

Angel:

I didn’t mean it like that. Just do whatever it takes to make sure we can hold her without concern.

Connor:

It will be done.

Anya:

Good! So we’ll head back then.

Buffy:

Giles, you go with Connor and Gunn. Xander, Anya, you head back to Cordy’s and tell the others. We’ll all meet back at the hotel.

Angel:

Everyone clear?

After confirming they are, the group exits leaving Buffy, Dru, Angel and Spike alone.

Cut to Hotel

Lorne:

Tell me again why I agreed to this.

Dawn:

Cause we are useless otherwise.

Lorne:

You know useless is way under rated if you ask me.

Fred:

We didn’t. This isn’t even the bad part yet Lorne. We just have to find the blueprints that Lindsey gave Angel that one time. If we can get in there and retrieve the scrolls that Lilah stole and also gather what information they have, we might be able to stop this thing before it happens. I know Cordy told me they kept those blueprints when I got the background on Wolfram and Hart.

Willow:

Not likely. If it’s written on ancient text, it usually means it’s gonna happen.

Dawn:

So maybe the battle happens but we can find a way for us all to fight on one side instead of against each other.

Fred:

There has to be signs of how Angel and Cordelia would end up on opposite sides. It just doesn’t make sense that the Powers would go to all this trouble with the both of them and have one of them be on the wrong side. There’s something we’ve all been missing.

Willow:

Found them!

Fred looks up as Willow pulls some crushed blueprints from behind a book case.

Willow:

I think I got them.

Fred

Let me see.

She spread them out on the desk.

Lorne:

Looks like the lion’s den to me.

Fred:

(points)

Here. This is the storage facility, and next to it, up one floor is the research projects division. The vault with all the high end important stuff is in here somewhere, very hidden.

Dawn:

So how do we get it?

Lorne:

Oh? You mean how go you get to the vault which is hidden inside a labyrinth of security consisting of every known and some unknown mystical, physical, enforcement in this dimension and quite a few others? Good question.

Willow:

I can do it.

Dawn:

What? You don’t have powers Willow.

Fred:

And she can’t have them! You don’t understand, there are vampire detectors, witch detectors, demon detectors and everything else in this place. So what are you proposing Willow?

Willow:

I’m going back to the basics. I started out as nerd science, computer girl, and I think its time I revisit my past. (looks at the blueprints) Here. It’s the control room and over here is the electric panel. I get there, and in five minutes I can disable almost anything.

Lorne:

Almost?

Willow:

(shrugs)

Like I said, it’s been a while. But I can do it. I will do it. (looks at Dawn and Fred) Trust me.

Dawn:

I do. You know that.

Fred:

Alright. Lorne, you stay here.

Lorne:

What? I’m not letting you three go to that place alone!

Fred:

Loving the chivalry Lorne, but weren’t you listening? You’re a demon, and they will detect you a mile away. We need as much time off their radar as we can get. You stay here and wait for the others. I left a message on Gunn’s voicemail that we were coming here. If all goes well, we’ll be back before them.

Lorne:

And if you’re not, what about when they get here and threaten to end my life for letting you go?

Dawn:

Stop being such a baby.

Lorne:

Yeah, I’ll be sure and take that advice from the resident whiner in our little group.

Dawn:

Hey!

Willow:

Both of you stop it!

Dawn sticks her tongue out and Lorne rolls his eyes.

Fred:

Dawn, we have to focus. This is serious.

Dawn:

I’m focused already. Let’s go!

Willow:

You ready Fred?

Fred:

Does it matter?

No one answers as the three girls head out the door. Lorne watches them go.

Lorne:

I am so beyond dead when Gunn and Angel find out.

Cut to Lobby

Lilah:

What are you babbling about?

Skip:

I’d like to hear that answer myself.

Sajhan:

Are you people mental? The lady is a distraction. And since we just arrived, I’m figuring it was for you two.

Wesley:

(quietly)

Spike.

Cordy:

What was that?

Lilah:

I’m calling in.

Justine smiles as she dials the phone.

Lilah:

(after a moment)

My men aren’t answering. We have to go.

Cordy:

Not without me you’re not.

Wesley:

It’s not your concern Cordelia.

Sajhan:

The lady wants to tag along. Last I checked, this was still a free dimension.

Lilah:

Perhaps you could explain that to the man lying at your feet with the disconnected vertebrae.

Cordy:

Skip, what are we going to do with him? They wanted him here, now how do I control him?

Skip:

I don’t have all the answers.

Cordy:

Just this one would do.

Sajhan:

No one controls me.

Wesley:

So why haven’t you killed us all?

Sajhan:

Honestly? Cause I got no grief with you and yours. I mean, sure you screwed me on the whole killing the kid early on thing, but I think we all agree on what the end result needs to be.

Justine:

You won’t get to him. I’ll die first.

Sajhan:

I never said I didn’t have a problem with you. You, I can kill.

Cordy:

That’s it. (She raises her hands in frustration and they glow brightly) What the…?

Sajhan:

What’s that? Why aren’t you glowy all over.

Cordy shakes her hands as if trying to force the glow off. The fourth time she flings them, the glow leaps from her hands and flies into Sajhan. A strange glow surrounds his body and he stumbles. Then the glow is gone and he looks at Cordy.

Sajhan:

What did you do?

Skip:

(walks up and punches him in the jaw)

Nope. Still corporeal.

Sajhan:

(angry)

That’s it!

He raises a fist to deliver a retaliatory blow. But just as he is due to connect, the glow appears and his hand never touches Skip. Instead, he stares in amazement.

Cordy:

What was that?

Sajhan:

Nothing. (He strikes again and the same thing happens) What did you do?

Cordy:

How am I supposed to know? But I tell you what. I’m liking it. Now you can’t just go around killing whoever you feel like. Maybe now we can find out what Lilah and Wes are so anxious to get back to. Right?

She looks over and finds them gone.

Skip:

Oops.

Justine:

What kind of demon says “Oops?”

Skip:

What? Would you rather I send down bolts of lightening and roar with thunderous force?

Justine:

It wouldn’t suck.

Skip:

Humans. You’re all so simple minded.

Sajhan laughs at this and Cordy sends him and Skip a warning glance.

Cordy:

Do you know where they were going? Why were you causing a distraction?

Justine:

I’m betting I don’t have time to explain.

Cordy:

Fine, then lead the way.

Cut to Alley just outside of warehouse

Buffy:

Spike, if you can’t keep her quiet, she goes.

Spike is holding Dru from behind with both arms wrapped around her. One hand is over her mouth.

Spike:

I don’t kno why you think you’ll be better off with them. They’ll only use you for a bit and then kill you Dru.

Angel:

We have to keep moving. They’ll look this way first.

Buffy:

I’ll bring up the rear. You lead and I’ll keep an eye on Dru.

Spike:

I’m perfectly capable of…

He suddenly loses his grasp and grabs his head. Dru watches him for a second before Buffy recovers and takes over restraining her.

Buffy:

(whispers)

Angel!

Angel turns around to see Dru struggling against Buffy and Spike doubled over. He sighs frustratedly and steps back to take Dru. Buffy goes to help Spike.

Buffy:

(bending in front of him)

Spike?

Spike:

Bloody hell!

Buffy:

What is it? Another chip attack?

Spike:

Don’t you think if I knew that I would be doing anything possible to avoid it happening at the most improper time? I was restraining a vampire. Why would that set it off?

Buffy:

(hears a sound)

No time Spike. We have to move…now.

She lets him lean on her and Angel turns away uncomfortably pushing Dru along in front of him. They make it a few steps when something crashes in front of them. Angel turns to motion to Buffy to step aside into the shadows for cover. He is just about to do the same when he hears it.

Cordy:

Angel?

Angel:

(freezes)

Cordelia?

Cordy steps from the darkness and they see eachother for the first time. Skip seeming to sense what to do steps up to take Dru as Angel lets her go in his haste. Cordy and Angel smile slowly and run into each other’s arms for a lengthy hug.

Angel:

Cord, It’s really you. You’re really here?

Cordy:

(laughing)

Of course I’m here. I told you I would find a way.

They finally step back and seem suddenly aware of the show of emotion. They take a step back.

Dru:

(from side)

Whatever will she say? I don’t have to see it in my head after all. It’s all right here. I’ve never seen love so mixed up and scattered amongst the wind. Who’s gonna catch it? (smiles wickedly) I think I might like it here.

Cordy frowns and looks at her then Angel. Angel looks at the ground as he hears the footsteps emerge from the shadows behind him.

Buffy:

Hello Cordelia. Nice to finally see you.

Cordy seems surprised and then sees Spike with an arm around Buffy’s shoulder leaning intimately on her.

Cordy:

Buffy? Spike? (then looks back at Angel) What’s going on?

Cut to Cordy’s

Xander:

So this isn’t right.

Anya:

Why did they leave? We told them to wait here.

Xander:

Guess they got tired of waiting.

Anya:

So what? Are we supposed to find them now? I’m tired Xander. I want to go to the hotel. I don’t want to find them.

Xander:

Calm down. I don’t think us rushing out in the mean streets is going to accomplish anything. We just go to the hotel and wait. If they’re not back when Angel and Buffy get back, then we’ll all figure out what to do. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? Fred, Willow and Dawn are safe with Lorne. He’s a demon right? He can protect them. Let’s get out of here.

They leave the apartment and just as they step onto the sidewalk, camera pans to reveal a pair of legs emerge to follow them.

 

Cut to Warehouse

Lilah:

(surveying the bodies throughout the building)

Why do I even bother?

Wesley:

Good question. We let ourselves be fooled by the oldest trick in the book. And a favorite of Angelus’ as I recall.

Lilah:

Angelus?

Wes:

No, he’s not back. Angel likes it just as well. We’re fools Lilah.

Lilah:

Speak for yourself. You’ve got a lot to learn Wesley. When dealing in the dark side, we learn to expect snags. That’s our specialty. We smooth out snags.

Wesley:

So what do you propose? I’m sure they’ve all regrouped at the hotel by now. They will be waiting for our next move.

Lilah:

(smirks)

Like I said, lots to learn.

Wesley:

Meaning?

Lilah:

I was making my next move while you were busy antagonizing Spike. What? You think Dru’s all I had? I’m disappointed Wesley. I thought you know I always kept a card up my sleeve.

Cut to Wolfram and Hart

Willow, Dawn and Fred climb through the sewer access that Angel had used once before.

Dawn:

I can’t believe Angel crawls through that nastiness on the daily.

Willow:

It wasn’t so bad.

Fred:

Ok, you and Dawn head for the control room. I’ll head for the vault and give you ten minutes to disengage the system. Once I open the door, I’m sure a silent alarm will activate, so we only have moments to find what we need and get out.

Willow:

After I get the panel disabled, I’ll head for the research projects division. Dawn and I will get as much as we can on Angel and his prophecies. You said they had files on him right?

Fred:

Oh yeah, it’s big though.

Dawn:

We’ll get what we need. You just get the scrolls.

Fred:

When you’re done, you get back into the sewer and back to the hotel. Don’t wait for me.

Willow:

I don’t think…

Fred:
I’m not gonna wait for you either. If one of us gets caught, the others must get back all the more. No hero stuff. Get the chosen warriors and rescue who’s missing. Got it?

Dawn and Willow nod.

Willow:

Good luck.

Fred:

You too.

They head in opposite directions as quietly as possible. Upstairs, in the security station, the girls are visible on two different monitors. Pan out to security guards still lying about the floor in various states of unconciousness or death.