A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 45

 

Fade in on Crypt

Spike, Buffy, Dru and Angel haven’t managed more than three civil words before it begins.

Buffy:

You just get to make all the important decisions don’t you?

Angel:

I never said that.

Buffy:

Of course not, you just did it.

Angel:

You have no idea of the pain some of my decisions have caused me. You could never…

Spike:

That’s right. Poor pitiful Angel, cursed and in love, what torture for you. We can never know that pain can we?

Dru:

I feel it, always have. All the pain for my family. And now you.

Buffy:

Please don’t tell me I’m part of your family now Dru. Cause hurling would be the only option.

Angel:

She can’t help what she feels Buffy.

Spike:

She says she can still feel you from before. Says she remembers something.

Buffy glances at Dru quickly to see her smiling as she strokes her fingernails down her cheek slowly.

Buffy:

Yeah, well that goes both ways. Why do you think I rushed over when I saw you in town? Just to kill you? No, that would take the fun out of it.

Dru:

Fun. I’ll have fun when you can’t hurt my boys anymore. Then I’ll have a party on your grave.

Buffy:

I already have one. Not far from here. Maybe we can party together.

Angel:

That’s not funny Buffy.

Spike:

That’s our Angel. Always the dictator.

Soon, all the occupants of the room begin to quabble louder and faster ignoring the others as they complain over one another.

Buffy:

I don’t know which of you is more annoying.

Angel:

I can not believe you still moan and complain this much Spike. You’ll never change.

Dru:

Souls are the path to madness. Mine was, and now you all will be the same.

Spike:

I listened to his bleeding mouth for a hundred plus years, I can’t stomach another minute.

Buffy:

One who dumped me so I wouldn’t make him evil, and one who went to get back in touch with his inner evil and screwed up so bad he has a soul too.

Angel:

I will not leave here until I know exactly what’s going on and can ensure it won’t affect anyone I care about.

Spike:

And her! She’s so out of touch with this world, she doesn’t even recognize it anymore.

Buffy:

I will not go back and forth on this for the rest of my life. And that goes for all my lives, not just this one.

Dru:

Someone’s listening. Sshh. Can you hear that?

Dru begins to pace the room while the other three walk closer to one another still speaking. Though now it’s becoming a yelling match.

Angel:

Can you stop spouting off for five minutes?

Spike:

I am not spouting off! And I’ll stop when I damn well please!

Buffy:

You two are so nineteenth century! Stop flexing your mouths and try flexing your minds!

Angel:

Look who’s talking. Why don’t you take your own advice. Or are you ready to tell us what Dru has on you?

Buffy:

Dru is a raving psychopath courtesy of Angelus, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about! If there was something to tell, I’d tell it!

Spike:

Ha! You? You haven’t told anyone the whole story about anything since…well did you ever?

Buffy:

Stop pretending you know me better than I know myself! I’m so tried of it! If I wanted to tell anyone anything, I would.

Spike:

(scoffs)

Right! I wish just for one bloody minute we would tell the truth!

Dru:

(sing song)

Uh-oh, now you’re gonna get it.

Angel opens his mouth to question Dru but is cut off by…

Anya:

(stepping from the shadows)

Done.

Cut to outside crypt

Gunn:

Ok what was that? It got way too quiet way too quick.

Cordelia:

Don’t ask me. You two were only to anxious to get out of there. Now we’re stuck in the dark.

Xander:

Literaly and figuratively.

Gunn:

Maybe we should go in.

Cordy:

Maybe we should never have left.

Xander:

Alright Cor, we get it.

Cordy:

No Xan, I don’t think you do.

She points and Gunn and Xander turn to see Giles, Wesley and Fred running toward them desperately. They reach them and Gunn grabs Fred close to him.

Gunn:

What’s up? Are you okay?

Fred:

Of course I am. We were looking for you.

Giles:

Where are the others?

Cordelia:

(pointing to crypt and inclining head in its direction)

Private conference.

Wesley:

With whom?

Xander:

Angel, Buffy, Spike and Dru. We took the graceful exit approach.

Giles:

Well they’ll have to be stopped. We’ve found something.

Fred:

Wait, what about Connor?

Cordy:

They were going to check out the Bronze. We haven’t seen them.

Gunn:

I can go check it out if someone leads the way.

Wesley:

Perhaps I should go with him. Giles you can stay here and gather the others. Meet us there.

Fred:

I’m going with Gunn.

Gunn:

You don’t have to.

Fred:

I want to be with you as long as I can. I’m not letting them separate us again.

Cordy:

Fred? What do you mean as long as you can? What exactly did you guys find?

Fred, Wesley and Giles exchange a glance and the others all moan.

Gunn:

Oh man, I hate it when you guys do that.

Cordy:

It’s bad. It’s really bad isn’t it.

Giles:

I’m afraid so Cordelia. We must move quickly.

Gunn:

How bad is bad? I mean is your bad as bad as Wesley’s bad?

Fred:

Angel was right. He went to get some answers from the Mohra and he was on the right track. But wolfram and Hart threw up another distraction.

Gunn:

You mean the End of Days deal? Did you guys find something on when its going down?

Wesley:

Yes Gunn. But its not when…it’s now.

Xander:

(looking around worriedly)

Has anyone seen Anya?

Cut to Bronze

Lorne and Willow watch the two men on either side of Dawn push her into the center of the room. The third is behind them and within seconds, it becomes clear what his purpose is. He is guarding Lilah. Their eyes widen as they see Gavin following with his own bodyguard and finally Linwood with two more.

Lorne:

Should’ve guessed. You guys are something else. Always watching aren’t you?

Lilah:

It pays to keep tabs on the people who threaten your very existence.

Willow:

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Lilah:

I’m a bit surprised to see just you here. I assumed it would be the whole team.

Lorne:

We like to keep the bad guys on their collective toes.

Gavin:

We don’t need you for that. We stay on our toes. How do you think we knew to come here?

Willow:

Tell your henchmen to let Dawn go. It will only make it worse on you.

Lilah:

(chuckles)

Things can’t get any worse Sweetheart.

Dawn:

What does that mean?

Lilah:

There she is. The question girl. Maybe we could get you a cool cape with a big question mark on it.

Dawn:

Shut up.

Lorne:

I assume its pretty big to bring all three of you to Sunnydale. So what is it this time?

Gavin:

Not this time. This is the last time. the end of time.

Linwood:

Gavin!

Gavin seems surprised that he said so much and looks shamedly at Linwood.

Lilah:

That’s our Gavin. Size 10 firmly in mouth.

Gavin:

(stammering)

I…I don’t know…I don’t know why I said that.

Linwood:

Not to worry. It’s not like they wouldn’t find out soon enough. (steps to tap the two men on shoulders) Go on and release her fellas. And watch the exits.

Dawn is released and she rushes to stand beside Lorne and Willow. She automatically looks up to the catwalk and sees Connor holding a finger up for her to be quiet. She looks back but not soon enough.

Lilah:

It seems we might have company. You two, check up there. Now.

Dawn looks up again but Connor is gone.

Lorne:

So whats the plan here? And how long do we have before it takes place?

Linwood:

The only plan you should worry about is one to keep you alive. The rest is far more important and far too preordained for you or anyone else to affect.

Willow:

So why did you bother to come?

Lilah:

(smiling and leaning on a pool table)

We’re just here to meet the newest and most powerful senior partner ever.

She, Gavin and Linwood smile suspiciously as Dawn, Lorne and Willow look at one another in confusion.

Cut to Crypt

Angel:

What’s done?

Anya smiles and disappears before their eyes. Dru starts laughing hysterically.

Buffy:

Shut up and let me think!

Spike:

Oh no.

Angel:

She was in her demon face. Why was she in her demon face unless…

Buffy:

She finally got a wish.

Dru:

Star light, star bright…

Spike:

Why are you looking at me like that?

Buffy:

You wished for something.

Spike:

I bloody well did not! I was just…oh.

Angel:

What did he say? I didn’t hear it.

Buffy:

He said he wished we would tell the truth.

Angel:

Who?

Buffy:

I don’t think it matters.

Spike:

You mean anything we say will be the honest truth?

Dru:

Wish I may, wish I might…

Angel/Buffy/Spike:

(yelling)

Dru, shut up!

Dru stops abruptly and looks down pouting.

The three look at one another afraid to speak when they’re interrupted.

Giles:

(entering slowly)

Buffy? Angel? (he sees them and stops) Oh. Right then. I need you all to come with me. Something has come up.

Buffy:

Ditto.

Giles:

Pardon?

Angel:

What happened Giles? Did you find something?

Cordy:

I thought he already covered that? What’s going on with you guys anyway?

Angel:

Cordelia.

Dru:

Here it comes. Everything will come out now. Like it or not.

Spike:

Maybe you all should go ahead.

Buffy:

I’m not leaving you and her alone Spike. I thought I told you that.

Angel:

If he wants to play babysitter, let him.

Giles:

We should all go together. We have to get to the Bronze quickly. It won’t be long at all now.

Cordy:

He’s been like this for ten minutes. Its like some secret code that he won’t break until we’re all together. So typical.

Giles:

I apologize Cordelia if my schedule isn’t up to your standards, but as usual, you have no concept of the importance of what is happening here.

Buffy:

Then you saw Anya.

Cordy:

Anya? Xander was asking about her. Was she here?

Spike:

Oh yeah.

Buffy:

She finally got a wish.

Cordy:

What? What bonehead went and wished for something?

Spike fidgets and Cordy notices the guilt.

Cordy:

Perfect.

Giles:

What was his wish?

Dru:

Honesty. True honesty. Most dangerous weapon.

Cordy:

You mean, you all will tell the truth about anything now?

Angel:

I would assume so.

Giles:

You haven’t tested it?

Buffy:

I don’t think any of us want to find out.

Angel:

Which is more important Giles? Testing our character or meeting the others?

Giles:

Good point. We can deal with Anya later. We better get going.

Spike:

Does that include all of us?

Buffy:

Yes Spike. I want you there. (beat) I mean, you have to keep an eye on Dru.

No one replies to the slip, and they all make their way out. Cordy watches Angel closely for any sign or reaction. He gives none.

Cut to Bronze

Lilah:

It’s about time.

Wesley, Gunn, Fred and Xander have just entered the bronze to be surrounded by W&H goons.

Gunn:

Lilah.

Lilah:

I was beginning to think you might miss the party. Don’t be shy. Come on in and join your friends.

Gunn and the others walk to the stage and join their friends. The group stands staring down at the enemy.

Wesley:

Let me guess, you know what’s happening already.

Linwood:

We do tend to get the 411 on events of this magnitude. And it looks like you picked the wrong team again.

Wesley:

I’ve never been one for the obvious.

Willow:

What are you guys talking about? What’s happening? They said it was the end of time. Is that true?

Wesley:

Yes Willow. We all will die if something isn’t done.

Lorne:

Not much for the subtext are we?

Wesley:

(confused)

I don’t know why I said that so callously. We can fight this just like anything else guys.

Gunn:

Except you haven’t told us what it is we’re fighting. Or if there is actually something to fight…or someone.

Fred:

That’s not too clear Charles. We’ve never dealt with something like this.

Lorne:

So where is everyone else?

Gavin:

Good question. Did your fearless leaders desert you all in the crunch?

Fred:

They’ll be here. And they’ll be sure and kick your asses before you get to see how it ends.

Gunn:

Fred!

Fred:

(covers her mouth with her hand in surprise)

Did I say that?

Lorne:

Good for you Fredkins. About time you showed em what your made of.

Dawn:

Something weird is going on.

Xander:

Anya.

Dawn:

She’s weird, but I don’t think…

Xander:

No, Anya.

He points and everyone turns to see her standing just behind the W&H people.

Lilah:

Way to watch the exits Morons.

Anya:

Don’t blame the morons. I don’t need to use doors.

Linwood:

Interesting talent.

Anya:

Not even my best. Hi Xander.

Xander:

Hello. What’s up?

Anya:

(shrugs)

not much, just wanted to talk.

Gunn:

Might be your last chance.

Xander:

Did you do something?

Anya:

What?

Willow:

What?

Xander:

You did something.

Anya:

I only did what he asked.

Dawn:

What who asked? What is going on?

Gavin:

This could be fun.

Cut to Street

Buffy, Angel, Spike, Dru, Giles and Cordelia all walk in silence. They are almost to the Bronze. Dru babbles intermittently. Giles keeps glancing at Buffy who keeps her head down. Spike keeps one hand on Dru and the other holds a cigarette.

Angel looks straight ahead ignoring the sideglances from Cordelia. She walks quickly to keep up with his strides. Just when they’re rounding the last corner, Connor emerges and almost gets clocked by Buffy. She stops just short of connecting and Angel steps forward.

Angel:

Connor? What are you doing out here alone?

Connor:

The others are in trouble. I was looking for the best approach.

Giles:

What kind of trouble?

Connor:

The woman and her lawyer friends are there with five others. They have everyone surrounded.

Giles:

They are all in there?

Connor:

Yes, Wesley and the last of them just arrived. I saw them as I was leaving. They sent men to search up above, so I had to get out.

Angel:

You did the right thing. We can take them out together.

Giles:

They will be here for the end. Our fight is not with them.

Buffy:

So does that mean we get to know who our fight is with?

Angel:

I think I can answer that.

Spike:

Of course you can.

Angel:

The Mohra. It’s them.

Giles looks up to see a group of demons marching towards them.

Buffy:

So we’ve got Anya and her spell, your friends from LA, Drusilla, the Mohra and the latest end of the world prediction from Giles. At least its one stop shopping.

Angel:

So you think we should just go in?

Spike:

Stop pretending like you care what she thinks.

Angel:

You don’t know anything about what I care about Spike!

Cordy:

And you do?

Angel:

Cordelia please.

Cordy:

Whatever.

Buffy:

Connor, did they hurt anyone?

Connor:

No. They grabbed Dawn at first, but now they’re just watching and waiting.

Angel:

Waiting for what?

Giles:

I would presume for us.

Angel:

And for them maybe.

Connor:

We can take them.

Angel:

Lets just get inside and get this over with.

The group follows him through the Bronze entrance as the Mohra march closer.

Cut to Inside Bronze

Angel is the first to come through the door and the W&H boys automatically step forward. He takes one out without blinking and Linwood calls for the others to stand down.

Buffy comes up beside him with Cordelia on the other side. Giles and Connor step forward to check the others on the stage. Spike and Dru stand back in the shadows.

Dawn:

Buffy!

Buffy:

It’s okay Dawn. Willow?

Willow:

We’re fine.

Lilah:

Its about time. Now maybe we can finish this.

Wesley:

They know Giles.

Angel:

Do they know about our newest arrivals?

Gavin:

Who’s that?

Angel:

The Mohra. They’ll be here any minute.

Lilah:

Mohra? That’s the last thing you should be worried about. But speaking of new arrivals…

Buffy and Angel both follow her line of sight up to the catwalk. Two big men are standing there looking down and part slowly at Lilah’s nod. A figure steps forward hesitantly and the light falls onto the face just as the other occupants of the building all look up as well.

Buffy:

(disbelief)

Faith?

Angel:

(echoes)

Faith.

Faith looks down at them stonefaced.