A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 44

 

Fade in: INT:Crypt

Dru lays quiet on the bed with eyes closed. Spike sits at the foot of it watching her and sipping a cup of blood. Suddenly, Dru startles awake and sits up in the bed. Spike stands to look down at her.

Dru:

Spike.

Spike:

Bad dream was it?

Dru:

(pulling at clothes)

I still feel her. All over me, get it out Spike. Please make her leave us alone.

Spike:

It was just a dream. She’s not here.

Dru:

Yes she is. (stands to walk in front of him) She’s always here. (pushes up against Spike) She’s right in the way. Can’t you feel it?

Spike:

(steps back nervously)

You need to eat. You’ve been through a lot. Here.

He hands her his cup and she takes a sip and spits it back at him.

Dru:

Vile! You drink animals.

Spike:

Not much different when you think about it.

Dru:

(walks to get away from him)

Why did you have to come back here? Why did any of us ever come here?

Spike:

Kind of on the pointless side don’t you think? Anyway, you can fix it. You can leave here and never come back.

Dru:

And you’ll stay with me? I won’t be like Darla Spike. I won’t abandon you. We’ll find a way to fix you. Naughty old soul.

Spike:

It’s not that simple.

Dru:

Its this place. I was in a bad way Spike. Screams and pain and torture, hell indeed. But here, back in this world, I hurt more than before. And now she’s (hits herself on the chest) in me! I can’t make it stop. The things she felt, I was there too. No Spike, this is hell..this place.

Spike:

(looks at her strangely)

Drusilla?

Dru:

I have to feed. I need to feed Spike. I feel so weak.

Spike:

I have enough for both of us. You rest up here and then we’re getting you out of here. For good. Somewhere safe. You don’t deserve this.

Dru:

And you? What will become of you if I leave? Do you think you belong here?

Spike:

I don’t belong anywhere. I know that. But this is where I choose to be.

Dru:

(groans and rushes to cling to him, kissing on his neck)

You could help me then. If you won’t let me go out to feed, then you will let me feed here. (Licks his neck) Remember how lovely it was before? Just a taste Pet. Let your Dru-baby have a little taste.

Spike closes his eyes reveling in the closeness he recognizes and used to long for but he steels himself and pushes her back.

Spike:

No Dru. Not anymore. It will never be like before. Do you understand that? I will help you, I don’t want to see you punished for something not your fault, but you and I, it can never be that way again. Do you hear me Dru?

Dru’s head is down as if trying to ignore him when the door opens violently and they both look up quickly.

Anya:

Am I interrupting something?

Dru:

You.

Spike:

Anya, nows really not a good time.

Anya:

Well you might want to think about priorities then because you’re about to get a lot more company than just me.

Dru:

Guests? (smiles and leans her head against Dru’s chest) Oh yes, a party. Special invitation, that’s what it is.

Spike:

Where did you come from?

Anya:

LA, where do you think?

Spike:

You didn’t get sent back with the rest of us.

Anya:

I had some unfinished business to take care of. Looks like you know the feeling.

Spike sets Dru back from him keeping his hands on her shoulders.

Spike:

Dru, (picks up cup again) drink this. You have to get your strength back.

Dru:

Why her? She’s on our team? I smell demon in the air. Demons! It will be such a lovely party!

She skips away and begins making a show of cleaning up for the party. Anya looks at Spike in amusement as he glares at her.

Cut to Summers House

Angel, Lorne, Wesley, Gunn, Fred, Cordy and Connor are in the living room with Giles, Willow and Dawn.

Angel:

How long ago did they leave?

Giles:

Just about half an hour ago. They don’t know you’re coming.

Angel:

And you have no idea where they went?

Willow:

There’s only so many possibilities. This is Sunnydale remember?

Cordelia:

Oh yes, the town of nothing. Let me guess, the Bronze.

Dawn:

If you want to stop with the sarcasm long enough to actually help, that would be great.

Cordy:

Well, the sarcasm nut didn’t fall far from that tree I see.

Wesley:

Alright, I think smaller groups is the best bet. Buffy is probably not yet fully recovered from her visit to Dru-land and she can’t face her and Spike alone.

Cordy:

Xander’s with her. (pause) Right.

Giles:

I think Wesley and I can be of most use here, trying to find any clues as to what kind of residue might be left behind from the Voca’s spell.

Wesley:

Precisely. Fred, perhaps you could assist as well? We also need to figure out what Wolfram and Hart was hoping to accomplish by sending her here.

Fred:

Sure.

Angel:

Connor, you take Willow and Lorne and head out. Willow, you cover the Bronze and the area surrounding it?

Willow:

Got it.

Dawn:

I’m going too. (holds up a hand when several mouths open to speak) No one say a word.

Angel:

(after everyone takes Dawn’s advice)

Okay, you stay with Connor, you should be okay. Gunn, you come with me and Cordy to check out the cemetery and some of my old stomping grounds.

Gunn:

Stomping grounds?

Cordy:

You mean Angelus’ old stomping grounds.

Angel:

Yes. They may have gone someplace familiar. Dru would like that.

Lorne:

Letting her get what she likes, I’m figuring not the safe route.

Angel:

Let’s move.

Cut to Cemetary

Xander and Buffy walk along in silence for a moment.

Xander:

How you feeling?

Buffy:

Like a sleep-deprived, recently part vampire, twice resurrected Slayer with way too much emotional baggage to be of any use to the good guys. And you?

Xander:

(gives her a sidelong glance)

About the same.

They fall into comfortable silence again and are almost to the crypt when they are noticed.

Vamp:

Isn’t there something better you can do with your time than harass us peace-loving fellas?

Buffy:

Is that rhetorical? I mean, cause I am the chosen harasser of all things undead.

Xander:

And peace-loving? Come on guys, I’m unsulted by the sheer stupidity of that approach.

Another vamp comes up behind Xander and Buffy.

Vamp2:

How’s this approach?

Xander spins to face him and is back to back with Buffy.

Buffy:

Alright, how about you give me some useful info and I’ll kill you quick?

Vamp:

How about not?

He rushes forward and Buffy drops to one knee to deliver a punch to his groin. He clutches himself and drops down as she’s rising back up.

Buffy:

(pulling stake out)

At least you still get the quick part.

She penetrates his chest and turns to see Xander in full fisticuffs mode with the other. She smirks and puts her hands on her hips to observe.

Xander connects with a right hook and cuts his knuckles on the fangs.

Xander:

That’s it! I’m tired of fighting guys with built in weapons.

Vamp2:

(smiles devilishly)

I can always see that you get your own.

Xander:

Not likely Friend.

He advances again and takes a kick to the mid section just as he reaches for the stake in his back pocket. He stumbles back and notices Buffy just watching.

Xander:

(pauses)

I’m sorry. Am I interrupting your non action?

Buffy:

But you looked so on top of things. I’m thinking maybe you don’t even…

She doesn’t get to finish because the vamp tackles Xander knocking the stake from his hand. He straddles him on the ground and lowers his head to feed. Buffy grabs the stake and rolls to stop next to the vamp. She takes hold of his hair and pulls back to make him look at her.

Buffy:

Didn’t anyone ever tell you its rude to interrupt someone’s conversation?

She doesn’t wait for an answer before driving the stake through his back. Xander spits furiously as the dust falls all over him. Buffy gives him a hand up.

Xander:

(brushing himself off)

I hate it when they do that.

Buffy:

We better hurry. I’m sure those were friends of Dru’s.

Xander:

Or Spike’s.

Buffy:

Whatever.

Cut to Crypt

Anya:

What could I possibly gain by lying to you?

Spike:

Let me think, you’re looking for a way to get back in good graces with your ex, so you figure what’s the shortest route? Bring him the pile of dust formerly known as Dru.

Dru:

(smiling lazily)

My Spike is so witty.

Anya:

I’m telling you, they will be here any minute, not to mention, did she tell you why she came here? How she came here?

Spike:

Dru?

Dru:

Sshh. Its okay then. We’ll be together.

Anya:

Yeah, together in LA. She told them she’d bring you back. It seems Angel’s not the only vampire with importance to the firm anymore. But we already knew that didn’t we?

Spike:

Dru? Why would you want to go back there?

Dru:

Oh Spike, musn’t listen to this one. She’s not right in the head. (chuckles then straightens listening) Do you hear them? They’re so close now. I don’t think I’d like to see them again.

Spike:

Who? Who’s coming?

Anya:

Okay, what have I been telling you for fifteen minutes? Geez! Let me take her with me. You get rid of them and we’ll all meet later.

Dru:

It’s like the toy soldiers in the storefront. All lined up, ready to fight. Advance and retreat. (starts dancing about singing the words) Advance and retreat! Advance and retreat.

Spike grabs her and puts a hand over her mouth.

Anya:

Um, maybe you’re right. I don’t think I have the patience required to deal with her.

Spike:

You made the offer. I’m taking you up on it. (pushes Dru into Anya) Dru, you go with our demon comrade here. She’ll keep you tucked away until I can make arrangements.

Buffy:

(from doorway)

And what arrangements would those be?

Spike turns as do the others.

Spike:

Buffy.

Xander:

Anya?

Anya:

Xander!

Dru:

(begins wailing)

Nooo. Nooo. Nooo.

Cut to Magic Shop

The door opens and Giles enters with Fred and Wesley.

Wesley:

My God, what happened in here?

Giles:

Oh, um yes. We haen’t had time to clean up much.

Fred:

It looks like you’ve never had the time.

Giles:

It’s a rather long story I’m afraid. And one not intregal to our current dilemma.

Wesley:

Fair enough. Now where are the chronicles of Thembura?

Giles:

They were just up…

He points to where the bookstacks used to be and sees that it is demolished and the books are scattered about the room. Fred, meanwhile, has bent to pick up a book she’s stepped on. She opens the pages and flips through them quickly.

Fred:

It’s blank.

Wesley:

What? Let me see.

He takes the book and searches for himself.

Wesley:

Giles?

Giles:

It’s not important unless its one of the chronicles.

Wesley flips to read the bind.

Wesley:

No.

Giles:

Alright then, we must look everywhere. Wesley, you check down here with Fred. I’ll go upstairs.

Fred:

(looks around)

I’ll guess I’ll start over there by the…(squints eyes) by the spilled frog eyes?

Wesley:

Winifred, where are your glasses?

Fred:

(smiles)

Where have you been? (pauses) oh, sorry.

Giles:

If we’re done here?

Wesley:

(clears throat)

Yes. We’re done. Lets begin.

Cut to Bronze

Willow leads Lorne, Connor and Dawn into the closed down Bronze.

Lorne:

And this is the place to be in Sunnydale?

Willow:

It’s different with the lights on trust me. Although it does seem oddly small now.

Connor:

Place to be? I don’t know that.

Dawn:

You know, like a cool hang out. Somewhere we can all relax and dance and…

Connor:

Dance?

Dawn:

(smiling)

Ok, for the son of Mr Night Life himself, you are obscenely naïve.

Lorne:

Connor hasn’t exactly been exposed to all things Angel, Sweets.

Willow:

I don’t think they’re here. We’ll make a quick sweep and then head out.

Lorne:

(sees stage)

Oh look! Excuse me while I answer my calling.

He dashes to the stage and jumps up on it. Willow scans the room while Connor climbs up to the catwalk. Dawn watches him move easily around the dark unfamiliar building. After a moment, they all are surprised by the sound of Lorne belting out the Jackson Five’s ABC. Willow rushes to stop him.

Willow:

Are you trying to get us killed?

Lorne:

Oh come on, just a break in the peril. You know you liked it. Besides, we’re all alone here.

Dawn:

You might want to rethink that.

Willow and Lorne see Dawn shoved forward by the arm. Three large figures surround her. They stay in the stand off for several seconds. Connor watches unnoticed from the catwalk.

Cut to Crypt

Spike:

I thought I told you to leave me alone.

Buffy:

Funny how you’re so adamant about that when you know I can’t.

Xander:

Anya, why are you buddy-buddy with the sick chick?

Anya:

Why do you always assume the worst?

Xander:

Um lets see. You told me you hated me, became a vengeance demon, slept with Spike, befriended Buffy when she was evil, and now you’re hanging out in a crypt with Spike and the only vamp I despise more than he. (taps chin) Nope, can’t figure why I’d assume.

Dru:

Slept with…?

Buffy:

Enough. Spike, give her up now. I won’t kill her unless she forces me. But she’s not staying here as your little…pet.

Spike:

Feeling a bit jealous?

Angel:

I guess I am. I mean, you and Dru back together? And you didn’t even call?

All eyes fall on Angel standing just behind Xander. Soon, Cordy and Gunn are visible behind him.

Dru:

Now you’re gonna get it.

Anya:

Shut up. You make no sense.

Dru:

But I do. She knows it. Did you tell them yet?

Buffy:

What are you babbling about now?

Dru:

I don’t have a heart. But you’re alive.

Xander:

Thanks for clearing that up.

Angel:

Dru, I’m taking you back.

Spike:

You’re not going near her.

Dru:

(Smiling)

I love this part.

Gunn:

It’s a little tight in here to be making threats.

Cordy:

Angel.

Angel:

Wait outside.

Cordy:

I’m not leav…

Angel:

(angry)

Gunn, take her outside now!

Gunn:

(tries to take her arm)

Come on, lets give him a minute.

Cordy:

(shakes arm loose)

Don’t touch me!

Xander:

(trying to help)

I’ll wait outside.

Anya:

Of course you will.

Spike:

Why don’t you all bloody wait outside?

Buffy:

(close to yelling)

Anyone who isn’t willing to take on a Slayer needs to get out. Angel, this isn’t Los Angeles. This is my town and my problem. Take Cordelia and whoever else you brought with you and go! If Dru cooperates she gets a ticket out, if not, she’s dust. Either way, you should get back to your life. That’s what you wanted right?

Dru:

Not going anywhere yet. Not yet.

Spike:

Dru, don’t help.

Gunn:

You know what. This isn’t me. (backs out the door) Call me when I can start hitting something.

Xander takes the opportunity to push Corelia outside after Gunn and he follows as well. Anya sees this and transforms to vengeance face. She slides back into the shadows…waiting.

Spike, Buffy, Dru and Angel face off.