A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 36

 

Fade in on Buffy standing in the ritual room. Wesley stands opposite her in the robes still holding the book. She can see his lips moving but doesn’t hear what he’s saying. Angel is beside Wesley staring at her. He too speaks, but she doesn’t hear. Suddenly he smiles and vamps out. She senses something and turns to see Dru rushing her from behind. She finally hears something. They’re all laughing. She screams at the all to stop laughing but no one listens or cares.

Cut to Buffy in box in the grips of a hallucination or dream, not clear which.

Cut to Hyperion

Gunn:

Can you just simple it up Lorne?

Lorne:

Well, it’s the Powers Gunn, so nothing is simple. But let me try and summarize. I don’t know how and I don’t know why, but I was told in no uncertain terms that alliances will die and new bonds formed.

Dawn:

Some of us are going to die!

Lorne:

I didn’t say that. I meant that whatever we think we know of each other and what we believe, is about to be turned upside down. And if the changes aren’t realized and challenged in time, a whole lot of badness is inevitable.

Giles:

As usual, the vagueness is rampant.

Lorne:

What can I say? You’re a watcher, you should be used to this stuff.

Willow:
But if They told you, then They wanted to warn us. That means there must be a way to stop it from happening.

Fred:

How? We can’t even warn the others.

Sajhan:

See what happens when things don’t go my way? If that 19th century cowboy would have done what I asked in the first place, none of this would have happened.

Gunn:

If you can’t help, keep your mouth shut.

Sajhan:

(mumbles as he walks away)

You just made my list.

Cut to Ritual Room

Wesley:

(louder and more insistently-almost rushed)

Signifemas morthepa firigino…

Spike:

Stop it! Angel make him stop! DO something!

Dru:

(still clawing at box)

Not until I’ve had my turn! Not yet! I haven’t played yet!

Spike finally runs over to grab Dru. She senses him though and rolls off the box to face off across it.

Angel watches for a second then glances back at the box holding Connor. Wes’ voice is even louder now and Angel turns to see him throw some sort of dust up in the air.

Angel:

No!

He lunges and tackles Wesley knocking the breath out of him. The room is filled with a strong wind and a fiery hole is visible in one wall. It grows bigger and then the flames begin to reach out. Spike and Dru see it and realize it’s coming at them.

Spike:

No! You won’t have her!

He jumps on the box and the flames hit him in the chest knocking him to the ground and he cries out in pain. Angel turns to see the flames engulf the box and Dru still standing next to it. He tries to get up but Wes reaches up to take his arm.

Angel:

(looking down in surprise)

Unless you’re asking me to kill you, I suggest you let me go now.

Wesley:

Do what you must. But I can’t let you interrupt.

Spike:

Buffy!

The room vibrates with a thunderous clap of thunder and the flames grow until they reach the roof. The heat causes Spike, Angel and Wes to shrink from it. Within seconds, it’s gone and they all look up slowly.

Dru is gone and the boxes remain. The three men stand and Angel looks at Wes.

Angel:

What happened? What did you do?

Wesley:

I did what Wolfram and Hart asked. I sent someone to hell. Just not who they asked.

Spike:

What do you mean? Dru?

Wesley:

Sorry Spike. Someone had to go. It had to be authentic.

Angel:

You…you’re saying you tricked them. It was all…

Wesley:

I apologize for having to take it so far Angel. But if I hoped to learn something of use to you and the others, I had to become one of them.

Angel:

(searches his face)

I don’t trust you.

Wes:

I didn’t expect you would.

Spike:

If you two are done with the meaningful, perhaps you can tell me why you haven’t taken the mojo off the boxes?

Wesley:

Oh yes. But it’s not my…mojo…I’m afraid. Lilah arranged for that. I’m not sure…

Angel:

Get sure Wesley.

Without warning, the lids pop open on the boxes. Angel rushes to Connor and helps him climb out. Spike goes to help Buffy but she’s not conscious.

Connor:

She called for me. I heard her.

Angel goes to her as Spike is lifting her out and he kneels beside her on the floor.

Angel:

Buffy.

He reaches to touch her face and her eyes begin to flutter open.

Cut to Hyperion

Giles:

So we know there’s a battle coming. We know it is somehow affected by the prophecy to shanshu. And we know now that it might very take place amongst the very people we fight alongside at this moment.

Fred:

We were right. Kyrumption isn’t a sign of their destiny together. It’s the guaranty of their end.

Cordy:

(standing in the room)

Who’s end?

The group all looks in surprise as they realize she’s appeared transdimensionally.

Gunn:

Getting pretty good at that aren’t you?

Cordy:

Working on it. So what were you saying Fred?

Anya:

(jumps up finally)

Forget her! Where’s Xander?

Cordy:

He’s fine for now. I left him in a safe place. And I don’t have long.

Anya:

What does that mean? Why didn’t you bring him back? (looks at Giles) Giles, tell her to bring him back!

Giles:

Let’s be calm about this Anya. I’m sure…

Anya:

I’m done being calm!

Cordelia:

Hello? Overreact much? I said Xander is fine. Yes, he’s hurt and yes, he might need help when he comes back, but he’s fine!

Lorne:

Ok kids, let’s bring the tension down just a bit here. We have a short amount of time to get our act together. We have to work together while we still can.

Cordy:

Exactly! That’s why I’m here. Wait, how did you know?

Fred:

Cordelia, we’ve been doing some research. There’s some thing you should know.

Cordy:

I’ve heard it all believe me.

Willow:

You have?

Cordy:

Yeah, Skip filled me in. But I’m lost cause he told me to come here and tell you guys. I guess They underestimate the power of research.

She smiles and the room looks on a bit uncomfortably.

Cordy:

I know I know, big things a comin. It’s not like we haven’t dealt with this stuff before. So where’s Angel?

Giles:

He went after Buffy. Connor disappeared shortly after.

Dawn:

Along with Drusilla, Lilah, Justine and Spike. We’re kind of at a disadvantage here.

Cordy:

They’ll be back soon enough. It’s gonna be fine, you’ll see. We can beat this. So stop looking so gloomy. Skip gave me the 411 on what we need to do. I’m going to go back and get Xander. One way or another I’m bringing him home. And when we get back, Angel and the others will be here. You’ll see. I’m a higher power! We’ve got the Powers on our side! Nothing can defeat us.

She disappears and everyone looks around in complete confusion.

Cut to Ritual room

Connor and Wesley watch from opposite sides of the room. Spike watches Buffy slowly come to at Angel’s touch. He begins to grimace and it seems an attack is coming. He grabs his head and grits his teeth trying to retain control.

Buffy:

(groans and opens eyes)

What…?

Angel:

Sshh. You’re okay now. You’re safe.

Buffy sits up and seems to finally focus on those around her. First Angel, then Connor, then Wesley and finally stops on Spike.

Buffy:

Spike.

Spike:

Are you alright? What did they do to you?

Buffy stands and looks at Wesley.

Buffy:

You. What did you do?

Wesley:

I did the best I could for you Buffy.

She snarls in an almost vampire way and attacks. Angel and Spike are too stunned to react and she has Wesley pinned against the wall with her hands around his throat in an instant. Connor is the only one to do anything.

He pulls her off Wesley and she spins to punch him in the nose. Angel reacts instinctively and rushes forward dropping to kick her legs out from under her. She lands on her back hard.

Angel:

(To Connor)

You okay?

Connor:

Fine.

Buffy:

Oh how sweet. Protecting the kid, you’re like Vampire dad of the year. (pauses) Oh wait, not much competition in that category is there?

Angel:

Buffy, something’s happened to you. You’re not thinking clearly.

Buffy:

I heard you laughing Angel. You’ve been laughing at me for years. And I think it’s time I stopped letting you. If you want to knock up every demon you come into contact with so be it. I don’t care. And if you want to stay buddies with the man who nearly killed us all, that’s your choice.

She stands up and looks down at him still staring openmouthed.

Buffy:

But if you want to keep me as part of your fan club, I’m gonna have to burst your bubble. You’ll never laugh at me again. And I’m not going to rest until everything you care about deserts you the way you deserted me.

Angel:

What are you talking about?

Buffy:

(leans close to whisper in his ear)

You’re about to find out…Lover.

She stands and smiles walking backwards into Spike. She turns to see him watching her and reaches up to kiss him hard.

Buffy:

Come on Spike. It’s time to play.

She pulls him by the arm and they leave the three men standing in shock.

Connor:

What is wrong with her?

Angel:

Wesley.

Wesley:

What? I have no idea. Lilah told me she was going to make you choose one or the other. I did the spell like she asked only I directed it at Dru. The magicks in the box or on the box were none of my doing.

Angel:

That wasn’t Buffy. Something happened to her. She was like…

Connor:

The woman. She sounded like the other one.

Angel:

Who? Dru? No, she was too precise in her words to be Dru.

Wes:

She wouldn’t have to be Dru. Only a piece of her.

Angel:

What?

Wesley:

Dru was on the box. She had jumped on the box in a rage just as the spell was completed.

Angel:

But you said you knew what would happen. You said you planned it.

Wesley:

I planned on sending Dru to hell instead of Buffy. And I succeeded. But you saw it Angel. You saw the essence and flame engulf her and the box. Perhaps something was exchanged between them.

Angel:

What are you saying? That you managed to turn Buffy into some kind of…

Connor:

We have to get back to the others. She could go after them.

Angel:

(mumbles)

She kissed him.

Wesley:

I’m sure it wasn’t her Angel.

Angel:

Don’t talk to me right now. Once again I’m fighting the urge to take you out.

Wesley:

I was only trying…

Angel:

If the word help comes out of your mouth, it will be followed by your teeth.

He hesitates but when Wes doesn’t respond, he exits the room with Connor on his heels. Wes drops the robes from around him and steps over the pile of material at his feet. He takes one last look at the room and heads out as well.

Cut to Lilah and Gavin watching on monitors.

Gavin:

This is even better than I hoped.

Lilah:

I told you the mist that the Nelifil provided would be an interesting twist on the Voca’s incantation.

Gavin:

But the look on Angel’s face when she kissed the other one. Priceless!

Lilah:

Not bad. And it looked like they had some experience with that.

Gavin:

So how long will it last?

Lilah:

I assumed Wesley had something in mind. He would never come over to this side completely. But to send Dru. That was a touch of brilliance. Unfortunately, since Dru was so near Buffy when the spell took, I’m not sure if there may be some adverse reactions from one to the other. They had a point when they said she seemed a bit like the freak.

Gavin:

Well either way, I’d say it’s one in our column. So what’s next?

Lilah:

Geez Gavin, do I have to think of everything?

Cut to Hyperion

The group is still trying to make sense of what is to come when Cordelia comes through the door assisting Xander.

Anya:

Xander!

Willow goes to help him and Cordelia releases her grip.

Gunn:

Door?

Cordelia:

(shrugs)

Just keeping you on your toes.

Anya:

Xander, are you okay?

Xander:

(sitting on round seat)

I’m fine. Not as good as I was wherever Cordelia took me, but I’ll live.

Cordy:

He’s tough. Gotta admit, I never thought I’d say it.

Xander:

That’s going around a lot.

They exchange a smile and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Anya.

Cordy:

So are they back?

Giles:

Not yet I’m afraid.

Dawn:

Maybe you could go find them.

Cordelia:

We don’t have time. I need to tell you all something first. It’s important.

Sajhan:

Well I’m all ears.

Cordy:

Are you still here?

Sajhan:

I’ll be more than happy to leave if you would just…(he holds up his hands)

Cordelia:

Nice try.

Gunn:

So can you fill us in please?

Cordelia:

Oh yeah! Ok, Skip said that Spike really screwed up everything by going and getting himself a soul. He may just interfere with shanshu.

Fred:

We already knew that.

Cordy:

Fine, but did you know that it will only be in the end when he comes into play. First there will be a great battle.

Giles:

And you will fight in this battle?

Cordy:

Yeah, that’s why I was called. But here’s the kicker. I hold all the cards in this fight. I hold all the cards to who actually shanshus. Somehow I will make the decision on whether or not Spike will be the supreme screw up he normally is or if Angel will achieve his destiny.

Fred:

Well that’s pretty easy then.

Xander:

Not quite. Skip told us that she would have to battle for the right to choose.

Dawn:

What does that mean?

Cordy:

That’s the vague part.

Lorne:

As per the norm.

Cordy:

He said that I would have to fight something before I could find the place I would draw from to complete my path. He said we all had to stay together as long as we could. That’s why we have to wait for Angel and the others.

Willow:

Buffy.

Cordy:

Yeah, her too I guess.

Willow:

No. (points) Buffy.

All heads turn to see Buffy standing on the landing with Spike. She waves and smiles.

Buffy:

Hi guys. (steps down closer to Cordelia) The bitch is back.

Cordy:

What is your malfunction?

Buffy:

All cylinders functioning here Cordelia. I know you’re used to the title, but this time it’s not you.

Dawn:

Buffy! Finally! You would not believe how much we’ve figured out. Are you okay?

Buffy:

(sarcastic)

Can you do anything besides ask stupid questions?

Willow:

Buffy!

Buffy:

Willow! (smirks) Xander, you feeling okay? You don’t look so good.

Cordy
he’s fine.

Buffy:

Wow. Better watch it, you might give people the wrong impression. Don’t want to piss off the ex-fiance turned vengeance demon. Whats up with that Anya? What kind of vengeance demon still hangs out with the do gooders?

Spike:

Buffy I don’t think…

Buffy:

Sshh. You’ll get your turn sweetie.

Buffy steps down and pulls Spike along behind her by the hand. No one speaks. She makes her way to Sajhan.

Buffy:

Hi there. I’m thinking you and I need to have a serious talk.

Sajhan:

Really?

Giles:

Buffy.

Buffy looks down for a sec and then walks over to pick up a dagger lying on the desk. She hurls it directly at Giles who ducks as everyone cries out.

The blade misses its mark but impales itself in the shoulder of Angel who has just entered the hotel. He grunts in pain and reaches up to pull it out.

Angel:

Hello Buffy.

Buffy:

You shouldn’t have come after me.

Angel:

I shouldn’t do a lot of things.

Dawn:

Angel?

Cordy:

What is going on?

No one moves or speaks as the large group waits for some kind of answer to the odd turn of events.