A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 32

 

Fade in on training room

Giles is gathering the last of the weapons and placing them in a chest. Justine is watching Connor from the corner as he checks and double checks the strength of the locks on the door. He occasionally glances her way but still hasn’t spoken.

Giles:

I think I’ve got everything. What about insurance?

Connor:

(stops tugging on lock and bends to pick up a bag)

This should do it.

Giles walks to open the bag and begins pulling out items. He tosses a cross to Justine.

Giles:

Put it there, on the wall. Connor, you place one over the entryway.

He throws it across to him but aims too high. It flies over Connor’s head and is caught in another hand.

Angel:

(smoke rises as he drops the cross)

What the…?

Buffy:

Giles! Wactch where you’re throwing the crosses!

Giles:

My apologies Angel. I meant to target Connor.

Angel:

Connor? What’s wrong? You should have caught that son.

Justine smirks at the fatherly comment and Connor blushes while picking it up.

Connor:

I would have, you got in the way.

Angel:

(smiling)

Right.

Buffy:

So how goes it? Are we ready to bring Psycho girl down here?

Angel:

Where are the weapons?

Giles:

I put them in the chest.

Angel:

Can you take them upstairs?

Giles:

It’s quite heavy. I might need some assistance.

Connor:

Justine can help.

Justine looks at him in surprise but walks to the chest without a word. Her and Giles pick up the chest and start climbing the stairs.

Connor:

I’ve checked the locks. The crosses will help a bit, but she won’t be contained forever. Vampires can always find a way to feed.

He stops then and looks uncomfortably at Angel.

Angel:

Holtz taught you well.

Buffy:

(breaking the silence)

So we shove Dru in here while we…what?

Angel looks down at her without answering.

Cut to Courtyard

Lorne:

Hey!

He startles Dru who looks up in surprise still vamped out.

Lorne:

Didn’t anyone tell you we don’t allow that here?

Spike:

(recovered and stands)

Bloody hell Drusilla! You were going to bite me!

Dru:

(pouts)

I only wanted to love you Pet. Make the pain stop.

Spike:

By bleeding me? That’s rich!

Cordelia:

No, that’s your Dru.

Lorne:

So where’s the rest of the troupe? Should I be readying for the wrath?

Sajhan:

No, glow girl here took care of that. I can’t do a thing to any of you.

Lorne:

Well thanks for the tip, but you aren’t my immediate concern friend.

Cordy:

What are you saying Lorne?

Lorne:

Oh my…Cordy! I didn’t even properly welcome you back to the land of the seen. Good to…well see ya.

Cordy:

Back at ya. Now who’s wrath are you expecting?

Dru:

Little green man dancing in the lights. (smiles and dances over to Lorne) You fear him. But that’s not all is it? Something inside and you feel it coming. I hear it in your heartbeat. (She places a hand over Lorne’s chest and he jumps back)

Lorne:

Ok! (looks at Cordy) Please tell me I don’t sound like that when I read people.

Spike:

Dru, that’s enough.

Dru:

Not nearly Sweet.

Spike:

I’ve waited long enough. I’m tired of babysitting. I’m going to find them.

Lorne:

So they’re here?

Cordy:

Of course they’re here. They went to check on Giles and Connor. Didn’t you see them?

Lorne:

No, but it might have been due to my…well, I wouldn’t call it hiding.

Cordy:

Let’s go then. We’ll find them together.

Sajhan:

It’s about time. I thought time moved slow in other dimensions.

 

Cut to Sewer

Dawn trips and falls into the shallow water landing on her hands and knees. The bag gets tangled and she hurriedly tries to upright herself but hears someone coming. She moves even faster but gets more tangled as she hears the person getting nearer. She squeals in fear as her time is up and she readies to be discovered.

Fred:

(running forward and trips over Dawn and they both fall face first into the sewer water)

EEwww!

Dawn:

Pllggg! (spits furiously and recognizes Fred) Fred?

Fred:

(looks up)

Dawn! It’s you! I’m so glad you made it. We have to go. Where’s Willow?

Dawn:

(tears form in her eyes)

She…she helped me escape.

Fred:

Oh. (stands and holds a hand out) Then come on. We have to hurry and get the others. Did you get anything?

Dawn:

(holds up bag)

If its not ruined.

Fred:

It won’t be. Let’s move.

Cut to outside W&H

Xander:

So what’s the plan Big Guy?

Gunn:

Well the first part is for you never to call me that again.

Xander:

Like it so far.

Anya:

Willow’s in trouble.

Xander:

Willow? Can you see her?

Anya:

No, but I might be able to help find her. I can try. I tracked her before, but that was when she had all kinds of power. I don’t know how strong her signal is now.

Gunn:

What about Fred? You getting anything on Fred?

Xander:

Sorry. It doesn’t work that way. She has to have a connection.

Anya:

Sometimes that doesn’t even help. But if I find Willow, Fred will be with her I’m sure.

Gunn:

Alright, you got five minutes. If you don’t get anything, I’m going in for Fred my way.

Xander:

That sounds really unplanned and guaranteed to get us all in big trouble.

Gunn:

No trouble. I go in and come out with Fred or stay in dead.

Xander:

Ok. Anya, when we humans start rhyming improperly, it’s a sure sign that demon intervention is necessary.

Anya:

No problem.

She closes her eyes and begins to focus on Willow.

Cut to Room in W&H

Lilah:

I really don’t understand your attitude. You have no mystical energy in you any longer, you’re not a witch and you’re buddies aren’t here to save you. Yet, you insist on playing tough girl.

Willow:

Not tough, just confident in the incompetence of you.

Lilah:

Can you believe her?

Wesley:

What is it they say about redheads?

Willow:

You don’t know anything about me.

Wesley:

Is that supposed to bother me? I don’t recall ever asking to know you.

Lilah:

Boy, and I thought his devilish charm only worked on, well the devilish. Looks like you have some kind of affect on the girl here too Wes. If I hadn’t sampled the goods already, I might be impressed.

Willow gets the meaning and her eyes widen as she looks at Welsey. For the first time, his tough façade falters and he can’t meet her eyes.

Willow:

I’ve heard of desperate, but can I say Eeww?

Lilah:

It’s alright girlfriend, I’ll let you have a go at him.

Wesley:

I think you’re off the mark on this one Lilah. Our Willow doesn’t go for my kind.

Lilah frowns and looks at Wes who nods his head at her.

Lilah:

(mouth drops)

Oh! You mean? She’s…? Well, that’s interesting. I guess I underestimated the old fashioned hierarchy of the Powers that Be. You go girl. Crash through that glass ceiling.

Willow:

You’re an idiot.

Lilah:

And you’re as good as dead. I figure I’m ahead by the numbers, what about you?

Willow doesn’t answer and Lilah smiles at her slight squirm in the seat.

Cut to Lobby

Lorne, Cordy, Spike and Dru come in scanning for other occupants. Giles and Justine emerge from the doorway with the chest and set the chest by the lobby weapons cabinet. Dru eyes them with interest.

Spike:

(squeezing her arm)

Don’t’ even think about it.

Dru smiles wickedly and Spike pulls her farther away from the temptation.

Cordy:

Where’s Angel?

Giles:

He and Buffy are downstairs finishing up.

Cordy:

Alone?

Lorne:

Connor’s down there still right?

Justine:

Yeah. He’s with them.

Lorne:

(quietly)

See?

Spike:

Well then? Someone lead the way.

Cordy walks past Giles and Justine and heads downstairs. Spike and Dru follow.

Cut to Basement

Angel:

Connor, can you go find the others? And tell Cordelia…

Cordy:

(from top of stairs)

Tell me yourself.

Angel:

Hey! Is Dru…?

Spike:

(following behind Cordy)

She’s here. Now who’s gonna tell me what to do with her?

Buffy:

You insisted on sparing her, she’s on you now. It’s your gig.

Spike:

I don’t think so. I can’t risk another attack and have her go all bitey on me.

Angel:

Bitey?

Cordy:

Upstairs. Spike had a meltdown and she tried to make with the feeding. It was a whole thing.

Buffy:

You had another attack? What brought it on this time?

Spike glares at her and she seems to realize she doesn’t want to know the answer.

Angel:

Whatever. We’ll take shifts. And guess who gets the first shift.

Spike:

Its not going to be me! I have to figure out what’s going on with me. I’ve wasted enough time with the lot of you already!

Buffy:

Reality check Spike. You got yourself kidnapped by the enemy and we had to waste all of our time saving your ass. So…

Connor:

I’ll do it.

Cordy:

Connor?

Connor:

It will give me some purpose. I can’t help with what needs to be done now. I am a warrior. Its how I was raised. (dramatic pause) Let me do this…please.

Angel looks at him for a moment.

Angel:

Okay. But it won’t be long.

Cordy:

(sarcastic)

Right.

Buffy:

Not now Cordy.

Dru:

(laughs out loud)

Can’t fool me little ones. You’re all in my head. Irony running round and round, screaming. Pieces and parts of them singing out to the wrong one. So funny really. (frowns and looks around the room) Why aren’t you laughing?

Cut to Lobby

Fred and Dawn run though the doors exhausted and ready to drop. Dawn slams the door behind them and Lorne, Giles and Justine all look up. Fred sees Sajhan standing back in a corner.

Fred:

Lorne! Look out!

Lorne drops down without hesitation and lokos around frightfully.

Lorne:

What! What is it?

Fred:

(pointing)

Sajhan! He’s back.

Lorne:

(stands up nonchalantly)

Oh yeah, him.

Dawn:

Giles, where is everyone else?

Giles:

Buffy is downstairs disposing of Drusilla.

Dawn:

Drusilla? As in Spike’s freak of an ex-girlfriend Drusilla?

Giles:

One and the same.

Fred:

Excuse me? Big evil demon guy 2 o’clock.

Justine:

He’s harmless.

Fred:

And I should believe you why?

Lorne:

It’s true Fred. Cordelia put a whammy on him.

Fred:

Cordelia? (looks around) She’s here?

Lorne:

She’s really here this time. She’s downstairs with the others.

Fred:

Angel?

Lorne:

(nods then raises a hand reassuringly)

Everything’s fine for now. As far as I can tell, it hasn’t happened yet.

Buffy:

What hasn’t happened yet?

The group in the lobby turns to see Buffy, Angel, Cordelia and Spike standing on the side of the room.

Cut to W&H

Gunn:

It’s been five minutes. I’m going in.

Xander:

Just give her one more minute. Like she said, Willow isn’t giving off the energy she was before.

Anya:

(eyes open)

I need to sit down.

Xander helps her sit and leans in to cover her face with his hands.

Xander:

Are you okay? Did you find her?

Gunn:

What’d you see? Did you see Fred?

Xander:

Back off Gunn. It’s not like she did something easy.

Gunn:

Look, I appreciate the special moment you two are having. Hey I’ve had them myself, except I can’t now cause my lady is missing. And if she didn’t find anything, I got somewhere to be.

Anya:

I didn’t see her. (Gunn’s shoulders slump) I’m sorry. (looks at Xander) But they have Willow.

Xander:

Who?

Anya:

Wesley and the woman. They have her in this room and they aren’t planning a roast in her honor. Not the good kind anyway.

Gunn:

Did they say anything about the others?

Xander:

Yeah. What about Dawn?

Anya:

(shakes head)

Nothing. But we have to help her.

Xander:

We will. (Looks at Gunn) Right?

Gunn:

I’m in. She was with Fred. I’m not leaving until she tells me what happened.

Xander:

Not exactly of the Scooby standard, but I’ll take it. So now…

Gunn:

(finishing his thought)

What’s the plan?

Cut to Office

Lilah’s phone rings.

Lilah:

What? (pause) Really? Ok, I got it. (Pause) No! Let them be. You heard me. (pause) You’ll get your money. Now get out of here before I change my mind. (hangs up phone)

Lilah:

Well Willow, looks like the game is on. That was my man who let me know about the three stooges. It seems the girl was able to “see” into the building and now has told Gunn and her boyfriend that we have you.

Willow:

Anya? Xander?

Wesley:

And you said to let them be?

Lilah:

Of course. Like any good hostess, I live by one rule…the more the merrier.

Cut to Basement

Dru is chained to the steel pipe running from floor to ceiling. Connor sits in a chair twirling a stake between his fingers.

Dru:

It’s like we’re family. Bother and sister. I see him in you. Just like he’s in me.

Connor:

Shut your mouth.

Dru:

Such contradiction. The fairies come and take that away if you ask.

Connor:

You’re crazy.

Dru:

Gifted. That’s what he told me once. Had a bit of dark mixed in with the light. And you? You’re the same. I can feel it running through you and into me. I’ll give it back though. He made us. And she made him. We come from the same blood you and I.

Connor:

(stands and reaches Dru seemingly in the same instant)

I said shut up!

He shoves her down and bends over her with the stake raised.

Cut to Lobby

Buffy:

Do I have to repeat myself?

Angel:

Why do you guys look like that?

Dawn:

We were at Wolfram and Hart.

Angel/Cordy:

What?

Fred:

We were trying to get something to help figure this mess out. We were the best ones for the job. They wouldn’t be expecting us.

Buffy:

Ok, since there is way much going on right now, I’m not going to state the obvious. You guys made it back We’ll let it slide. What’d you find?

Dawn:

We didn’t all make it back.

Buffy:

What?

Dawn:

Buffy, we peomised we’d come back no matter what. We all agreed.

Buffy:

Who didn’t come back? (looks around full room) Willow.

Spike:

You just left her there.

Dawn starts crying.

Fred:

It was the only way. We all agreed to come back no matter what and get you guys. I just happened to run into Dawn in the sewers otherwise I we wouldn’t have shown up together.

Angel:

So now we have one more to go rescue. Antoher delay.

Lorne:

(raises hand)

Might want to do a recount.

Angel:

What do you mean?

Everyone looks around.

Fred:

Where’s Gunn?

Angel:

You’re kidding me.

Spike:

Xander’s gone as well far as I can tell.

Giles:

And Anya.

Buffy:

Were they with you?

Dawn:

(shakes head and wipes eyes)

No. It was just us three.

Lorne:

Gunn went after them. (looks at Fred) I told you he would go ballistic.

Buffy:

And Xander and Anya went with him?

Lorne:

No. He went alone.

Giles:

Xander and Anya never showed up after Cordy’s. I haven’t heard anything.

Cordy:

Oh yeah, I’m gonna have a serious talk with whoever came up with the reunion at Cordy’s when this is over.

Spike:

So once again I get pushed to the back burner I suppose.

Buffy:

No! (pauses) I mean, we aren’t doing this again. Fred and Dawn have something that can help. Dawn? You wanted to help? Well congratulations. Research be thy name.

Dawn:

But…

Buffy:

Dawn!

Dawn:

(steps down from the landing)

Going.

Fred:

We’re gonna need help.

Sajhan:

Perhaps I can be of service. I have some experience with the prophecies.

Angel:

We’re interested in the truth.

Sajhan:

So am I. (walks forward) So am I.

Giles:

I will assist as well.

Buffy:

Good. So who’s going with me?

Angel:

Lorne, stay here and check on Connor in a bit. He may need a break. Justine, you trade off with him when needed.

Justine:

Only because I want to help Connor.

Angel:

Whatever. Cordelia…

Cordy:

Don’t even think about telling me to stay behind. I busted my ass to get back here and I’m going.

Angel:

I was just going to ask if wanted to go with or travel in another way.

Cordy:

(frowns and sees Angel look skyward)

Oh! Um, no I think I’ll do this the old fashioned way. (glances at Buffy) I’ll come with.

Spike:

Great. So what do I do?

Buffy:

You shoud stay.

Spike:

Not likely!

Giles:

Buffy, he won’t be of any use here. At least with you, he might contribute to getting everyone back safely.

Angel:

Or to getting someone killed when he goes pained boy on us.

Spike:

I’m going.

Angel:

You drop, you’re on your own.

Buffy:

Alright, let’s just do this. Giles, we need answers when we get back.

Giles:

And we’ll have them. Just be careful.

Spike, Buffy, Angel and Cordy all head out the door. Giles ushers Fred and Dawn to empty their bags.