A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 43

 

Fade in INT.-Hyperion Lobby

Cordelia stands opposite Anya in vengeance face. Gunn, Fred, Lorne and Connor watch from a safe distance.

Cordy:

How many times do I have to tell you my answer?

Anya:

You’re not even trying.

Cordy:

Alright, I’ll go over it one more time. I am a higher being now. I can’t just go making wishes against my friends just as a favor to you.

Anya:

You owe me this much.

Cordy:

How do you figure? Last time I confided in you, you almost wiped out history as we all knew it. Not something I’m looking to redo.

Anya:

I know why you’re doing this. You still have feelings for him. You still want Xander.

Cordy:

(jaw drops)

Want…me want Xander…as in want?

Anya:

You kept finding ways to be with him. You healed him.

Cordelia:

Uh yeah! I healed him because that’s what I do. Well at least it s one of the things I do. And yes I have feelings for him. He’s my friend. We worked past all that other stuff a long time ago. I see you missed that part.

Anya:

Xander is a strong, young, viril specimen. No woman could just “get past” him.

Cordy:

(laughs)

Wow. That’s deep. Xander…viril. (frowns) Eeww, now I’m getting a visual.

Anya:

Stop that!

Lorne:

(stepping forward)

Excuse me Ladies, not to intrude but I’m just wondering why if you love him so much and all, why do you want Cordelia to wish something on him?

Fred:

And if the floors open for questions, aren’t you evil? I mean you joined forces with Buffy and the others. Why are you back now…and not trying to kill us?

Anya:

I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just figured I could do more with them. (looks at Cordy) And I wasn’t exactly feeling the love here.

Cordy:

(takes a deep irritated breath)

One more time. I don’t want Xander. I was as surprised as anyone when he could hear me in the beginning. But it wasn’t out of some deep repressed love that I desperately needed to demonstrate.

Angel:

(from basement door)

What’s this about repressed love?

Connor:

Angel.

Angel:

I came as soon as I could. I was…well it doesn’t matter. (steps up to Anya) Well hello there. Did you get lost on the way back to Sunnydale?

Anya:

No, I came here for help. But as usual, Cordelia doesn’t want to cooperate.

Angel:

She is a bit on the stubborn side isn’t she?

Cordelia:

Excuse you?

Angel:

I’m sure you have very good reasons for coming to…(looks at Fred) demand a vengeance wish?

Fred nods and Anya glares at Angel as he steps past her to look at Cordelia.

Angel:

I just don’t think higher beings are much for the vengeance. I mean, I doubt seriously the Powers that Be would want some higher being flying around all moody and bi-polar and such.

Cordy:

Bi-polar?

Lorne:

So we’re all clear then. No wishes for the taking here. You can go on home. I’m sure Xander is worried sick wondering where you are.

Anya:

(transforms to human and drops dejectedly on couch)

I’m useless. I can’t find anyone to avenge. I can’t be a Scooby anymore. I don’t belong anywhere.

Gunn:

(under his breath)

Speaking of bi-polar.

Angel:

Not to belittle your pain but I kind of have a problem me and my friends need to handle.

Fred:

That’s right. You said you found something.

Connor:

Where were you?

Cordy:

Is it bad news? Of course its bad news. Problems are never good news are they?

Gunn:

Is it Lilah or one of her crew? (To Fred) I’d put money on Lilah.

Angel:

It’s not Lilah…technically.

Cordy:

Not technically?

Angel:

She tracked me down at the factory. (holds finger up) Sidenote, I’d really like to know how she does that.

Connor:

You were at the factory?

Angel:

Yeah. I remembered something about what the mohra told me. I went to check it out.

Cordy:

And did you find anything?

Angel:

I found a Mohra. He didn’t help much. I had to kill him.

Fred:

And how is this the problem?

Angel:

No, the problem is Lilah and the boys club got together and decided to let Dru live. On one condition.

Lorne:

Let me guess. She’s on her way over to finish what she started?

Angel:

Not quite. They took her to Sunnydale.

Gunn:

She’s going after her boy again.

Cordelia:

No.

Angel:

No what?

Cordelia:

You’re not going there.

Angel:

And why is that?

Anya:

(stands up)

That’s it!

Everyone jumps.

Lorne:

What’s what?

Anya:

That’s what I can do. Dru is all about vengeance and evil and all that kind of stuff.

Angel:

Don’t get any ideas.

Cordy:

And why would Lilah tell you this? It’s a trap Angel.

Gunn:

She has a point.

Angel:

I already thought of that. That’s why I need you.

Cordy:

Me?

Angel:

Yes. Can’t you just go ahead and check things out? Maybe be our eyes in the sky?

Cordy:

No.

Lorne:

No?

Cordy:

I can’t do any higher being stuff.

Fred:

Cordelia, if this is about what happened with Buffy earlier….

Cordy:

Actually it is but not in the way you think.

Anya:

So what is it?

Cordy:

They won’t let me.

Gunn:

Who?

Cordy:

Duh. The PTB. I’m on probation or something.

Angel:

Probation?

Cordy:

(defensively)

Listen, don’t you start with me! It’s not like I planned it. But what was I supposed to do up there? And she was totally out of line! And I’m not going to apoplogize for defending myself and ipso facto, saving all your lives!

The group stares at one another then all look to Cordelia.

Lorne:

So I guess a thank you at this point would seem paltry?

Cut to Sunnydale-EXT Buffy’s lawn

Spike faces Dru as Buffy stands against the tree.

Spike:

Dru.

Dru:

Hello Pet. Did you miss me?

Spike:

How did you get here?

Dru:

Some nice men from that place brought me. Seems I’ve been voted most popular.

Buffy:

In Hell?

Spike:

Buffy shut up.

Dru:

I won’t let you hurt him anymore. It’s my game now.

Buffy:

But it’s my town. The rules change.

Spike:

Just get in the house.

Buffy:

And leave her out here? I think not.

Spike:

I will stay with her.

Buffy:

And that’s helpful because…?

Spike:

(turns to look at Buffy in frustration)

You know what, fine then. Just do what the hell you want to. You always do anyway. Why should I care if she sucks you dry?

Dru:

(claps hands)

Oh can I Spike? Really?

Buffy:

I’m not sure he’s the one you should be asking.

Dru:

He’s lost his taste for you. They both have. Soon you’ll be all alone.

Buffy:

I’m always alone.

The door opens and Dawn walks out oblivious.

Dawn:

I’ve been thinking Buffy and you can’t just tell me wh….

Dru smiles and grabs her in a head lock. Dawn cries out in surprise and Spike and Buffy both step forward to react. Dru turns Dawn around to face her holding her by the neck.

Dru:

Hello again. You’re different than her aren’t you. But still the same. Not meant to be this one. You were made, not born.

Dawn struggles futiley for a second until Dru squeezes and looks closer at her.

Dru:

Ssshh. It’s alright then. Look at me. You can see something good if you look hard enough.

Dawn doesn’t listen at first but within seconds she’s looking deep into Dru’s eyes.

Buffy:

Dawn! Don’t look at her like that. Stop it.

Dru:

Sshh. Look in here. I can see you. So much to see…to be. Do you see it too?

Dru doesn’t see Giles and Willow coming out the kitchen door. They each hold a cross and idle up closer to each side of Dru. Just as she’s swaying with Dawn in what almost looks like a trance, they press the crosses against her flesh. She screams and the smoke rises as she lets go of Dawn.

Dawn stumbles back and Spike catches her against his chest before handing her off to Buffy. Dru drops in pain whimpering and Giles and Willow stand over her waiting to see if she recovers. Buffy pushes Dawn in front of her and Giles takes her by the arm.

Buffy:

Get her inside.

Willow, Giles and Dawn go in the kitchen.

Buffy:

What are you doing?

Spike:

(bending over Dru)

She’s hurt.

Buffy:

Uh yeah, just shy of hurting Dawn. Remember her? Your new best friend?

Spike:

Not again.

Buffy:

I’m not letting her go just to try something else.

Spike:

I’ll take care of it.

Buffy:

And how much do I not believe that?

Spike picks up Dru in his arms and stands up to look at Buffy. Dru whimpers against his chest.

Spike:

You saw nothing but gray for three years with Angel. But now there’s only black and white for the rest of us isn’t there? Well she didn’t choose this life. The rest of us. We did. Angel, he let Darla make him. Me, I chose to join with Dru. But not Dru. She was tortured until her last breath. What she is or what she does is no fault of hers. I won’t let you punish her for being exactly what he bred her to be.

Buffy:

She’ll kill you and only come after me and mine again. Or vice versa. Either way, there’s no happy ending for her here.

Spike:

(pauses to look at her closely)

There’s no happy ending for any of us here Slayer.

Buffy doesn’t reply and stands watching as he walks away carrying Dru with him.

Giles:

Buffy, come inside now. We must form a plan.

Buffy watches until Spike disappears into the last shadow to give way to the new day. Then she slowly turns to walk in and close the door behind her.

Cut to Hyperion

Angel, Cordy and Connor sit on the couch. Gunn stand over Fred who’s searching the internet for something. Lorne is pacing anxiously talking on the phone.

Lorne:

(into phone)

Alright I get it. I know I’ve missed a few shows. (pauses to hold the phone away from his ear) Can we try doing this at a non-deaf inducing volume? (pauses and looks at the others) Guess not. (pause) I said I’d be back when I finish up with my friends. We’ve got some things to tie up. (pauses then sarcastic laughter) Oh that’s a good one. With the tying and the threats. Way to sweet talk the best thing that ever happened to your wannabe vegas strip dive into coming back to save your demon loving ass. (pause) No you listen to me. If you think you can find better than Songs from the love, Lorne, then you go right ahead. I’ll be there to pick up the pieces when I…(yells the last part which is completely shocking to the group listening) am finished helping my friends save the freaking world…again!

He throws the portable phone across the room and barely misses Angel’s head. He ducks and raises an eyebrow.

Lorne:

(noticing the stares)

Sorry about that folks. (straightens jacket and tie) I try not to let the clan come out in me but sometimes people just deserve nothing within the civil.

Fred:

I guess they miss you back in Vegas.

Lorne:

Who wouldn’t?

He smiles and the others relax a bit thankful for the break in tension. The door opens and Wes walks in.

Wesley:

Hello all. I apologize for the delay.

Gunn:

No delay. We’re still deciding on the best plan.

Wesley:

We’ll go to Sunnydale of course.

Cordy:

Why is that everyone’s answer? Did you ever think that its really not necessary?

Fred:

What?

Cordy:

(stands up and looks down at Angel)

Listen, why does this have to involve us? I mean, Buffy and the Scoobies face things a lot worse than Dru on the daily. Just because we saw the beginning doesn’t mean we have to be there for the end.

Angel:

Cordelia, you can’t mean that.

Cordy slumps dfeatedly and turns away. She starts to think to herself.

Angel:

I know Buffy is more than capable of handling this. I’m sure she doesn’t need me…or us. But this wouldn’t be happening if not for me. Wolfram and Hart sent her, that’s not Buffy’s fault, it’s mine. She came here to help me and didn’t leave until we were safe. Now we know that she’s in danger still not to mention the others, and we can’t just sit here in LA and pretend like it doesn’t concern us.

Connor:

The girl will be in danger. Her sister?

Wesley:

Dawn? Well I would imagine she will be involved to some extent.

Connor:

Then we should go. She is innocent.

Angel looks at him strangely and Fred glances at Gunn with a smirk. Gunn shakes his head to scold her silently.

Wesley:

Plus, what I did. The things I put Drusilla through, we don’t know what it left behind. If she was evil before, she could be positively deathly now. We should help them track the progression of her trip to hell and back. Giles and I could work together on that.

Cordy:

So it looks like I’m in the minority. (still thinking privately)

Lorne:

They want to ruin my career.

Angel:

What?

Gunn:

Who?

Lorne:

The PTB. It’s the only explanation. I escape from Pylea and find my calling. But then I have the reading thing to work through. So I find a way to combine my two loves. Helping people and singing. I open the club. Then They send me you guys. And you get my club destroyed. And each time I was close to regaining my joy, They sent you again…to destroy it. Then I go to vegas and find myself the main attraction of the Vegas underworld. Then They send me a killer reading to force me to come back here. The Powers That Be want to ruin my career.

There’s an awkward silence for a moment as everyone tries to digest what Lorne has said.

Wesley:

Okay. Fair enough.

Fred:

Now I’ve heard everything.

Angel:

What do you say we get this done then Lorne? So you can get back to your…career.

Connor:

So we go.

Cordy:

The vision.

Angel:

You’re having a vision?

Cordy:

No, something kept bugging me and I couldn’t place it. But it was the vision.

Wesley:

What vision?

Cordy:

I saw Buffy and Angel fighting, then Connor was lying there and then…(closes eyes briefly) well, it doesn’t matter what else. I forgot about it in the midst of everything at Wolfram and Hart, but it didn’t ever happen.

Gunn:

So you think what you saw, it might go down in Sunnydale?

Cordy nods.

Wesley:

Well then you must know it’s the path we were destined to take. The Powers sent you a vision of it. They want us there.

Cordy:

All I know is They want Buffy and Angel there. And maybe Connor.

Fred:

But we can’t let them go alone. We can help.

Angel:

Then we’re done talking. Gunn, Connor pack whatever weapons you can find. Wesley, you and Fred get anything that might help with the Voca’s spell and what it might have done to change Dru. Cordy, you pull the car around.

Cordy:

But…

Angel:

What? Is there something you haven’t told us about your vision?

Cordy looks down and flashes to Buffy and Angel in each other’s arms.

Cordy:

Um…no, there’s nothing I forgot.

Angel:

Good. I have to go get something upstairs. I’ll meet you all out back.

The group splits up to do what they were told and Lorne watches Angel climb the stairs. He follows him.

Cut to Sunnydale

Dawn, Buffy, Giles, Willow and Xander stand around the kitchen.

Xander:

I haven’t seen her since we got back. What if something happened?

Willow:

Anya’s a vengeance demon Xander. I think she can take care of herself. Maybe she just needed some time.

Buffy:

Anya never intended to hurt anyone. I don’t remember a lot but I do remember she was the voice of reason the whole time I was…unreasonable.

Xander:

I’m calling. I have to know if they’ve seen her.

Willow:

Let’s just give her a few more hours.

Dawn:

Why are you so adamant about not contacting anyone in LA? What do you know that you’re not telling us?

Willow looks at Giles.

Buffy:

Stop that. I hate the private looks. Its never good. What happened in LA to make you so wigged?

Willow:

It was the girl. The girl in the white room.

Giles:

It seems she gave Willow and those with her two possibilities.

Xander:

Two?

Willow:

We did the right thing, trust me.

Buffy:

And you’re sure because…

Willow:

She said that either we all separated and never interfered again or we would stay and fight. If we fought, two of us wouldn’t survive.

Dawn:

Two of who?

Willow:

She wasn’t much for the specific. But I figured I didn’t like those odds. So we’re here and the rest are there. And we can’t let them get involved. Cause next time, we won’t have a choice.

Xander:

And what if you’re wrong? What if Anya is one that didn’t survive?

Buffy:

I think we would have heard by now if she had been hurt or captured.

Dawn:

She’s right Xander. Anya’s going to be back any minute you’ll see.

Buffy:

And in the mean time we have Drusilla.

Giles:

And Drusilla has Spike on her side now.

Dawn:

He wouldn’t have ever done that if it weren’t for you.

Buffy:

Me?

Dawn:

It’s so obvious he’s trying to make you jealous.

Xander:

As much as it gives me the ick factor, it does sound like something Spike would do.

Buffy:

Except he doesn’t want anything to do with me right now. So why would he bother?

Dawn:

Don’t be stupid.

Giles:

Dawn!

Dawn:

What? She’s not stupid, I know that, you know that, but maybe she doesn’t.

Buffy:

I’m well aware that I’m not stupid. And for whatever warped reasons that Spike chose to help Dru, it won’t lead anywhere good. So unless someone has a better idea, it looks like I’m going on a crazy vampire hunt. I’d like to have a talk with her anyway.

Willow:

Why is that?

Buffy:

I was there Willow. I was there and so was she. She was in my head and I was in hers. And I have to get some answers about some of the things I…we said. I have to know what was me and what was her.

Xander:

And why would you kid yourself into thinking that she would volunteer anything to put your mind at ease? Especially when hers so obviously isn’t.

Buffy:

Because I felt what she wanted. And she can’t get it without me. (pauses) Giles?

Giles:

Yes, you should most assuredly tail them. We can’t afford surprises at this point. (looks at Willow) Which is why I should call Wesley. He knows more about what happened to Dru than anyone.

Willow:

I don’t think a call could hurt. But if Angel finds out…

Giles:

I will make certain that he understands the importance of discretion in this matter. I’m sure Angel has other matters he’s tending to at the moment as well.

Cut to Hyperion-Angel’s room

He’s digging through a dresser drawer when Lorne walks in.

Lorne:

Sorry to interrupt Lambkins, but…

Angel gives him the look that he always gives when Lorne calls him pet names.

Lorne:

Sorry to interrupt An-gel, but I kind of think I should mention something.

Angel:

And what is that?

Lorne:

Nothing much. Just if you go to Sunnydale, someone’s not going to survive. And it might be more than one.

Angel stops shuffling through the clothes and stands to look at Lorne.

Angel:

What?

Lorne:

I didn’t want to say anything downstairs. Poor Cordy’s already convinced of the catastrophe awaiting, but I might have information that will prove her right.

Angel:

So just tell me.

Lorne:

It was the creepiness embodied in that little girl. She wasn’t too forthcoming on details, but she said if we fought, two wouldn’t survive. And I’m thinking that, along with Cordy’s vision isn’t exactly in the plus column for our trip.

Angel:

And how often do we hear dire predictions and overcome them?

Lorne:

Good point. And I’m all aboard the Sunnydale train and all, but I just thought you should know.

Angel:

But you waited until the others weren’t around?

Lorne:

This is your deal. I mean, Sunnydale, Buffy, that’s your thing and I can’t claim to understand or grasp the underlying drama surrounding it. But I’m just now recovering from the vibes that were flying around like missiles over the last excursion.

Angel:

It’s complicated beyond…the telling.

Lorne:

Fair enough. And I can handle it. But I don’t know about the rest of them.

Angel:

The girl. That place, it’s evil. Something about it is wrong. I was desperate to go there, just like you and Willow were desperate this time. But don’t forget who led us there.

Lorne:

Lilah.

Angel:

Can’t forget about Lilah.

Lorne:

She was there. She knows what is at risk according to the girl. She knew what sending Dru to Sunnydale might do, and she ensured it by letting you know. She has her hand in everything.

Angel:

That’s an understatement. But it can’t be helped right now. Our first order of business is stopping Dru.

Lorne:

Right. I’ll just let you get back to…looking.

Angel turns back to the dresser and Lorne eyes him strangely before leaving the room. Angel searches for several more minutes before he finally pulls something out and slides it in his jacket pocket. Cordelia calls him from downstairs and he heads down to meet her.

Cut to Sunnydale

Giles hangs up phone and turns to face Willow and Dawn.

Willow:

What? What is it?

Giles:

It seems your concerns about Buffy staying put were well founded. But we neglected to consider the alternative.

Dawn:

Which is?

Giles:

Wes was preparing to leave when I called. It seems Angel was made aware of Dru’s relocation. And they are currently headed this way.

Willow:

Oh God.

Dawn:

But you stopped them right? You told them about the risks?

Giles:

I’m afraid he didn’t give me time. He told me they were headed to Sunnydale to help and he hung up the phone.

Willow:

Then that’s it then. Angel knows Buffy’s in danger. Nothing will stop him from coming here.

Dawn:

Even though he’s signing someone’s death certificate. Maybe two?

Willow and Giles exchange a very concerned look. The three look at the door that Xander and Buffy had exited only moments before. It would happen now. They knew it to be true and they had no way to stop it.