Final Thoughts by Cheri

Chapter 18

 

Fade in Cave

Connor is chained up against the wall. Buffy walks around him checking the locks to make sure he’s secure.

Connor: (struggling and kicks at her) Get away from me!

Buffy: (Smiles and bends in front of him) I see your father in you. And maybe a little of your mother.

Connor: Never.

Darla: I’m hurt. After I went all sacrificial so you’d be born, this is the thanks I get.

Buffy laughs and stands to join her a few feet away.

Connor: You’re not real.

Darla: I’m as real as I have to be. My new best friend here can take care of the rest. Isn’t that right?

Buffy: Looking forward to it. How much longer do I have to wait?

Darla: They’re coming soon. I can feel them. Soon it will happen.

Buffy: And what then? I can’t exactly take all of them. Although it’d be a helluva time trying.

Darla: Don’t you worry. I have quite the welcoming party planned for our dear boy.

Spike: (from entrance) I hope that’s me you’re referring to.

Buffy spins to see him standing there and smiles.

Buffy: Look who came to save the day. All soul having and such, what a drag.

Spike: What are you trying to pull Buffy? I know you, this isn’t you.

Buffy: Oh Spike, poor poor Spike. Never could stand on your own could you? Always had to live for someone else. First Dru and then me. God you’re pathetic.

Spike: You didn’t seem to mind most of the time.

Buffy: Oh that’s right! You don’t know the truth yet.

Spike: Truth?

Buffy: (steps closer) Buckle up Spikey, I’m gonna take you on a ride through honestville. See, last year when I came back, I don’t know if I ever told you, but more than anything I wanted to see Angel.

Spike swallows hard against the words but keeps quiet.

Buffy: And he wanted me too. So we met. And let’s just say the chemistry was still there. Granted I was a little wigged what with being ripped from the peaceful beyond and all and he was just getting back from a mourning sabbatical but it was still there. And we knew.

Darla: I love this part.

Spike: Knew what?

Buffy: That we couldn’t see eachother. Not ever again. It was just too hard to be so close to our love, our true love, and not be able to stay together. So we decided to make a clean break.

Spike: I’d say you did.

Buffy: Right. I came back and went all Steve Martin in Little Shop of horrors. I threw every ounce of pain and anger into the sickness that was our relationship. (looks at Connor) Might wanna cover your ears for this part Jr. (back to Spike) The sex was great, exhilarating, dangerous and repulsive.

Spike: I don’t believe it was always like that.

Buffy: You’re absolutely right, it eventually turned into attempted rape.

Spike flinches at the words and puts everything he has into remaining calm.

Darla: And now you’ve ruined yourself completely with that soul. And you’ll die alongside the rest while me and mine rule.

Spike: She knows why I did it.

Buffy: I do. And this is the funny part. You wasted your time.

Spike: You don’t believe that.

Buffy: I wouldn’t have either 24 hours ago. But its amazing what the truth can do for you. And I got a heaping helping of it today.

Spike: From her? (points at Darla) The First wants you dead Buffy. It will tell you anything to make you give in.

Buffy: It wasn’t the First that did it. It was Lilah.

Spike: The wench from the car?

Buffy: Yeah, she wanted to see me so she could tell me what happened that day. When Angel and I made our pact, we weren’t thinking clearly at least not for ourselves anyway. We were hit with a mojo. One that guaranteed we’d turn away from what was real, and find a replacement in the first available body. Congratulations…..body.

Spike: And why would she tell you that? Why show her hand?

Buffy: To save him of course. See, Angel has a role to play in what’s to come. And she thought if he died, that it would mess up her best laid plans. So in comes Buffy, the sacrificial lamb. Willing to do anything to protect her darling first love.

Spike: Why would you do that? What about your part in the battle?

Darla: She has a part. A very important part.

Buffy: That’s right. I finally get to stop feeling that endless pull of humanity driving me forward in a hopeless mission. See I see things so much clearer from here. I can’t believe you would ever give this up over love.

Spike: What have you done?

Connor: She has no soul.

Darla: Don’t disrespect your elders Son. Mommy doesn’t want to have to take you over her knee.

She cocks her head slightly and listens.

Darla: Spike, you’ve been very naughty. It’s time for punishment.

Spike: You can’t hurt me you non-corporeal bitch.

His head snaps back from the blow and he sees Buffy facing him with a smirk.

Buffy: That’s what I’m here for.

She hits him again and he stumbles back.

Buffy: Come on, at least make it interesting.

Spike: I love you Buffy.

She extends a fist towards his face but doesn’t connect. He catches her fist in his hand and holds it.

Spike: But that doesn’t mean I can’t hurt you.

He beings up a forearm and catches her across the face with it. She stumbles back this time and grows angry.

Buffy: No one can hurt me. Ever again.

The two go at it as Connor and Darla watch.

 

Cut to Cemetary

Angel leads a formation with Cordelia, Lorne, and Dawn and Xander just behind him practically marching.

Cordelia: What about Connor Angel? We haven’t seen him for hours. Not since he and Buffy went to meet Lilah. Shouldn’t he be a priority?

Angel: Connor can take care of himself Cordelia. Buffy needs help now.

Cordy: Some things never change.

Angel stops at these words and swings around to face Cordelia.

Angel: Don’t you dare take that tone with me! We all have priorities Cordelia. And some come from secret places that no one else understands. So if you’re so sure of the reasons for my priority, tell me. What’s the reason for yours?

They face off and Cordelia has no clue how to respond.

Xander: What’s going on?

Lorne: Gonna have to point out the bad timing on this conversation people.

Cordelia: You have no idea what you’re talking about.

Angel: Don’t I? You think I don’t remember? I lost my soul Cordelia, not my memory.

Dawn: What are you guys talking about? We’re looking for Buffy remember? Apocolypse? The First? Any of this ringing a bell?

Lorne: Maybe they’ll help.

Everyone turns to see three vamps headed their way.

Cordelia: I so don’t have time for this.

She steps forward and takes the first on. Xander watches in shock as she exchanges blows like a pro. When she takes a hit to the chin, she grabs the vamp by the throat and picks it up. It looks her in the eye and shows an overwhelming fear.

Vamp: What are you?

Cordelia: Oh I think you know.

She looks at her hand and it starts to glow brighter and brighter until it is almost like fire and the vamp dusts in her hand. The other two run away instantly.

Cordelia: (Calling after them) And tell the First I’m coming! You’ll be wishing I was just a measley slayer when I’m done with you!

Xander: What exactly are you?

Cordelia turns around and faces them.

Cordelia: We don’t have time for me to explain.

Gunn: Ain’t that the truth?

They hear him and turn to see Willow, Wesley, Anya, Faith and Giles standing behind Gunn and Willow.

Dawn: Hey! What are you guys doing here?

Willow: We’re going to fight.

Xander: That’s obvious. So what’s the plan.

Willow: The plan is to win.

Lorne: Short plan. Simple, to the point. I approve.

Giles: Angel?

Angel: It’s me. I’m back.

Wesley: How?

Angel: It was Buffy. She did something. Saved me.

Fred: So where is she?

Willow: She’s already waiting. I can feel her.

Angel: You feel the magic?

Willow: No. I feel the evil.

Dawn: She’s not!

Giles: Dawn, you must steer the course. This is what we do. Willow has light and dark in her. It is the way she is now. And she will use both to lead us into battle. Regardless of who our enemy is.

Dawn has a flash of memory

Joyce: When it’s bad, Buffy won’t choose you. She’ll be against you.

Dawn: It was supposed to be the First. A lie.

Gunn: What’s that?

Dawn: (quietly) Nothing.

Wesley: Have you seen Lilah?

Cordy: Have you seen Connor?

Angel: No.

Giles: No.

Wesley: I’m going to find her.

Faith: Let’s go then. You know where to look?

Angel: Try the mansion. Buffy went to meet her before all this happened. Something tells me she would have been watching.

Lorne: Yeah, the guy who worked the magic is dead there.

Faith: Dead?

Angel: Something went wrong.

Giles: Willow, you and Angel take a team and head after the First. Wesley, you and I will go for Lilah with Faith.

Cordelia: I’m going to find Buffy. She knows where Connor is.

Angel: Fine. We shouldn’t all go in at once. Xander, can you take Dawn, Fred, Anya and Gunn with you?

Xander: Sure. Where to?

Angel: I’m going to the caves first. You and yours will fall back and wait for signs of trouble before you go in. Either it’s safe by then or you’re the world’s last hope.

Xander: But no pressure right? I think I need to sit down.

Gunn: Not an option. And don’t even think about leaning on me.

Angel: Giles, you, Wesley, and Faith can check out the mansion. I’ll take Willow, Cordelia and Lorne with me. If we don’t catch up with you, head for the cave.

The groups head off in different directions except for Xander and Gunn who wait.

Xander: So how are we gonna kill some time?

Dawn: Why should we listen to Angel anyway? Why can’t we just go after Buffy ourselves?

Gunn: Because we don’t want to get blindsided. This way we can scope things out and find the best way to help.

Anya: I think we’ll find something to occupy our time.

Fred: And what’s that?

She doesn’t get a chance to answer when Xander is jumped from behind. The beast is back. He tosses Xander like a rag doll into a large crypt. He slumps unconscious to the ground. Gunn doesn’t even get a chance to take a swing before he’s knocked in the other direction. Fred and Dawn run but Anya isn’t fast enough.

The beast steps towards her and she stares him down.

Anya: I’ve seen worse.

He grabs her by the shoulder with one hand and yanks. The sound of bones breaking is heard and Anya screams. Gunn recovers and comes at it from behind. He manages to bury his machete in the things back and it let’s go of Anya to spin around. Anya drops to the ground and Gunn looks around for any other weapon. There is none.

The beast is struggling to reach around and remove the blade from his back and Fred sees an opening. She tosses a stake to Gunn and he buries it in it’s neck just as it had done to Angel once before. The beast grunts and backhands Gunn viciously. Gunn tumbles across the ground and the beast looks at them all for a moment before slowly backing away.

Dawn watches him leave and comes out from behind the headstone.

Dawn: Xander!

She rushes to him and sees he’s just finally coming to.

Xander: Did we win?

Dawn: Just a time out I’m afraid. Are you okay? Can you stand?

Xander: (lets her help him up) I’m good. What about you? Where are the…? Anya?

He sees Fred leaning over Anya and runs to kneel on the other side of her. He sees the collarbone protruding from the skin.

Xander: Oh God.

Anya: it’s okay. I’m okay. Just give me a sec.

She tries to move and screams in agony.

Fred: We need a splint.

Xander removes his shirt and Fred proceeds to make due. When it’s done Xander helps her up by the good arm and Anya hisses at the movement.

Gunn: She can’t go with us.

Xander: Shut up! We’re not leaving her!

Dawn: He’s right. I’m sorry Anya, but you’ll only slow us down.

Anya: I know.

Xander: Then I’ll stay with her.

Anya: No Xander. They need you. You’re important. I’ll be fine. I’ll just head to Buffy’s and wait for the world to end or you all to come back for me. Whichever comes first. Maybe I’ll even stop by the ER.

Gunn: Are you okay to get there alone?

Anya: It’s fine. I don’t think I’m much of a threat to the First right now. It won’t waste it’s time. (to Xander) You’ll come back for me right?

Xander: (smiles) Lickety split.

Anya: That’s all I needed to hear. Now go.

He looks at her one last time before kissing her cheek and running into the dark with the others. Anya takes a deep breath, grimaces and begins the slow walk home.

 

Cut to Mansion

Lilah is back and standing over the body of the man.

Lilah: What the hell did you do?

Wes: That was precisely what I was going to ask.

Lilah spins to see Wesley standing in front of her holding a sword. Giles and Faith are on either side of him.

Lilah: Wesley!

Wesley: Don’t act so surprised, you knew I would come for you.

Lilah: I just didn’t know you’d bring an audience. I know we’ve experimented but…

Her words are cut off by his hands around her throat. His face is only inches from hers.

Wesley: I don’t think you want to play games with me right now Lilah.

Lilah: (struggling to speak) Guess play time’s over huh?

Wesley: What did you to Buffy?

Lilah: (each word is said with deadly calm) Let…Go…of…me.

He releases her and pushes her away from him in disgust.

Lilah: (rubbing her throat) Anything that Buffy’s done has been her choice.

Giles: Buffy would never willingly choose to turn against what she is.

Lilah: Really? Are you sure about that? Not even to save Angel?

Giles: You traded his soul for hers?

Lilah: I didn’t do anything. I just gave her a choice.

Faith: (stepping forward ) And now I’m gonna return the favor. You can die fast or slow.

Wesley: Let’s not be hasty.

Giles: Of course. Slow is much better.

Lilah: Maybe you should prioritize gentlemen..and lady. My guy is lying over there very much dead and that is not a good sign. The only hope Buffy had was with him.

Giles: So he was to harness her soul?

Lilah: Yes, he would release Angel’s and harness hers in order to join the First and the beast.

Faith: I’m really ready to hit her now.

Wesley: Faith wait. Why would you be here? Why not be there to reap the benefits?

Lilah: Because I wanted her to beat it.

Giles: Rubbish!

Lilah: Believe what you want old timer.

Giles: Old timer! I’ll have you know…

Lilah: I told you I was playing this one differently. Buffy and I were working together. The only way to stop the end was to make the First believe Buffy had crossed over. That she had turned her back on the goody goody.

Wesley: And the only way to pull it off was to make it true.

Lilah: But this wasn’t part of the plan. If he’s dead, then the harness is gone and so is Buffy.

Faith: So what happens now?

Giles: It’s the final battle. It is us against them.

Wesley: And who’s side will you be on Lilah?

Lilah: Mine.

The three turn to leave and Lilah grabs Wes’ arm.

Lilah: It just so happens mine and yours have collided.

Wesley: (looks at her for a moment) We don’t trust you.

Lilah: So take me with you. Send me to slaughter if need be, but let me come. Please.

Faith: No sweat. We can use her as a human shield.

Giles: Faith.

Wes: Come on.

 

Cut to Cave

Spike and Buffy are out of breath and bruised. They’ve fought for several minutes the First has disappeared. When Buffy sends him into a wall for the fourth time, he doesn’t get up.

Connor: Just stake him and get it over with.

Buffy: Oh Connor, you really don’t get it do you? It’s not about the kill. It’s about the pain. Dragging you all through the muck and the dark until you don’t care enough to fight anymore. You wanna know who I learned that from?

Angel: (from entryway) I bet I can answer that.

Buffy turns to see Angel standing facing her.

Cordy: Connor.

Lorne is helping Spike up and Willow steps up next to Angel.

Buffy: It’s about time. I thought Connor and I would have to entertain ourselves all night.

Cordy: Get away from him.

Buffy: (laughs) Wow. The father wasn’t enough for you huh? Had to get a taste of the son too.

Cordelia: Shut up!

Buffy: Geez Angel, at least I was faithful. You left me to find Cordelia? You do know who she is right?

Cordelia: You have no idea who I am.

Buffy: Well come on then. Show me.