Final Thoughts by Cheri

Chapter Five

Fade in Hyperion

Angel:

What did you say?

Cordelia:

You heard me Buster. Don’t make me repeat myself.

They face off while the others look on awkwardly.

Lorne:

(jumps dramatically)

Whoa! Did you…Gunn, did you hear that?

Gunn looks at him like he’s crazy.

Lorne:

(startles exxageratedly)

There it is again! Wes?

Wes:

(calmly)

Gunn, perhaps you should go check that out?

He inclines his head and Gunn gets it at last.

Gunn:

Oh that! Yeah, Lorne, I think it’s coming from upstairs. You wanna?

He points in the direction of the stairs but Lorne hesitates.

Lorne:

Maybe Connor could help?

Connor:

I don’t hear anything.

Gunn:

I’ll lead the way. Just watch my back Jr.

Connor:

Maybe I should…

Lorne:

(laughing nervously)

Aw come on, humor me. If something creepy crawly jumps out up there, I think we all know you’re much better equipped to deal than little ole me.

Angel:

This isn’t necessary.

Connor:

Cordelia…

Cordy:

You should check it out.

Connor reluctantly follows the other two upstairs.

Wes:

I’ll be going then.

Angel:

What? Where?

Wes:

I have to check some things.

Angel:

We have work to do. I need you.

Cordy:

No you don’t!

Angel:

Cordelia please.

Cordy:

(talking loudly over him)

Don’t you dare Cordelia please me! You…

Wes:

(still louder to interrupt her)

Stop this! Angel, I’m going. But I will be back. You need to think very carefully about what you’re suggesting. It’s…

Cordelia:

Insane!

Angel:

(exasperated)

Cordy, you’re not even trying to understand!

Cordy:

And I suppose you’re the voice of ration? You’re talking about giving up your soul. Are you mental?

Wesley steps away and out the door to the sounds of the pair bickering back and forth. He shakes his head as he closes the door behind him.

Cut to Hallway-Upstairs

Gunn walks slowly down the hallway trying his best to keep up the charade.

Gunn:

It was this way right Man?

Lorne:

Um yeah. Clear as day, right this way.

Connor:

There is nothing here. I would have heard it by now.

Lorne:

What? Just cause you have Daddy’s ears means the rest of us are deaf. If I wasn’t concerned for my personal safety I might find time to be insulted.

Connor:

What was Angel saying down there? Why is Cordy so upset?

Gunn:

He said he wanted to sink to this thing’s level in order to stand a chance. Last I heard, Angel without a soul isn’t pretty.

Lorne:

Especially for those the soul cared about.

Connor:

If he’s so quick to get rid of it, then I don’t think he cares about anybody much at all. It’s the only thing keeping him from becoming the animal that he was made to be.

Gunn:

You might have a point, but it’s looking like this thing might be the end of all of us anyway. Maybe Angelus would have a chance that none of us could ever get. Either he stays buried and we all die or he shows up and…

Lorne:

We all die?

Connor:

(seeing the look on Gunn and Lorne’s faces)

I have to go to Cordelia.

Gunn:

(grabbing his arm)

Hold up. Let’s just give em a minute okay?

Connor:

You don’t understand.

Lorne:

So you can explain later. Let’s just finish with the sweep and then we’ll all go.

Connor is not happy but relents. As he moves ahead of the other two he begins to hum. It’s the same lullaby that Holtz hummed before. Gunn and Lorne immediately recognize it and look at each other.

Gunn:

(whispering)

Isn’t that what you know who sang before he fire bombed your club?

Lorne doesn’t answer. He’s stopped in the middle of the hall and his eyes are wide as saucers as he gets the reading.

Gunn:

You alright man? Lorne?

Connor hears it and stops to turn around.

Connor:

What is it? Did you hear something?

Lorne:

(mumbling)

No hear…see.

Gunn and Connor look at his strange reaction waiting to hear what’s coming.

Cut to W&H

Lilah:

(on phone)

Yes sir. Everything went just as you said, he showed. (pause) I don’t think that will be a problem. The firm is perfectly positioned to reap the benefits. (pause) I have to say this need to know policy is growing tiresome. (pause) No of course not. I wasn’t suggesting anything. Yes sir, I know my place. (pause) Well thank you. I’m quite proud of my work of late. Certainly. I’ll be in touch.

She flips the phone closed and looks at the tattered carpet and burnt spot in the middle of the room.

Lilah:

Pretty soon we’re gonna run out of office space.

Wesley:

Silly to worry about that when you’re busy destroying the world I would think.

Lilah spins to see him standing in the doorway.

Lilah:

Getting better at the stealth thing aren’t we?

Wesley:

Maybe you’re slipping.

Lilah:

Look around you. I don’t think this is slipping.

Wes:

Yes, you’ve given evil another assist. Kudos to you.

Lilah:

And you found time to stop by for a visit? I thought you’d be busy trying to make the big difference. What happened?

Wes:

Angel.

Lilah:

Why does it always have to be about Angel? The man wanted you dead not too long ago. I swear if it wasn’t for my personal experience to the contrary I’d think there was some sort of “connection” between you two that hasn’t been made public.

Wes:

Not funny.

Lilah:

Wasn’t meant to be. So what did he do now? I don’t have a lot of time for chit chat.

Wesley:

He seems to have all but given up hope of defeating this thing. I expect you’d have an idea as to why.

Lilah:

He’s finally wised up? I’m sorry Lover, but Angel has seen what the rest of you haven’t. All the power of this world is being funneled into our side on this one. It’s just a matter of time before it takes over and wipes the do gooders out of existence.

Wesley:

So this is how you wish it to end? And what side is your mother on Lilah? Are you keen on wiping her out of existence as well?

Lilah:

(eyes narrowing)

You don’t know anything about her.

Wes:

Oh but I’m afraid I do. You may be a cold heartless bitch when it comes to the rest of the world, but she’s your last tie to humanity and decency. Are you ready to sacrifice that and her in the name of proving your loyalties to the dark side?

Lilah:

I have work to do.

She tries to walk past him but he grabs her and pulls her close burying his face in her neck.

Wes:

What’s the rush? I thought we could have one last go at it?

Lilah:

The only thing you thought is that you could squeeze information out of me. Don’t insult me by lying.

Wes:

But that’s what we’re all about isn’t it Lilah? Lying, using, it’s what we’re good at it.

Lilah:

It’s what I’m good at. You’re still a novice.

She turns her head to kiss him hard. For a moment they both forget about everything else. Wesley finally pulls away.

Wesley:

You’re afraid. I can feel it. Why are you going along with this Lilah?

Lilah:

Sometimes you get to a point when there’s no turning back. You’re closer to realizing it than you think.

Wes:

I may have strayed from who I am Lilah, but it will never bring me to where you are. You’ll be alone for eternity in the hell you’ve created.

Lilah:

I’ve been alone for a long time Wes. At least now it won’t be for nothing.

Wes:

We’ll find a way to stop this. You could still save yourself. I’ve already put into motion the actions required to save our world. You have no idea the lengths the Powers and those who work for them will go to.

Lilah:

Ditto for my side. Are we about done here?

Wesley:

Why the jaguar?

Lilah:

Don’t ask me. I’m on a need to know around here.

Wes:

I guess you’re not as in charge as you like to think then.

Lilah:

I don’t need to know the details.

Wesley:

(begins thinking out loud)

Earthquake, fire, water, wind, jaguar.

Lilah:

Yeah, tell me something don’t know.

Wesley:

It’s all occurred. But backwards. Away from the end.

Lilah:

What are you babbling about?

Wesley:

(begins to pace)

All this time, I was sure it was signaling the end.

Lilah:

You’re right about that.

Wes:

I have to go.

Lilah:

Wait, you came here for something. What was it?

Wesley:

It doesn’t matter now.

Lilah:

And why is that?

Wes:

Because this isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.

He walks out of the room mumbling to himself as Lilah stares after him.

Lilah:

I’m afraid it’s both Sweetheart.

Cut to Hallway as Wes walks quickly.

Wes:

(mumbling)

Beginning. That’s it, it’s taking us back to the beginning.

 

Cut to Hyperion Lobby

Cordy:

Please tell me this is just twisted end of the world humor.

Angel:

I don’t joke about things like this.

Cordelia:

Angel, you know better than anyone what Angelus will do if he’s set loose. He’ll join up with whatever evil this is the first chance he gets. How can you possibly think that’s even an option?

Angel:

Because we don’t have any others.

Cordelia:

Then we’ll find one! What could have happened to even make you consider this? Have you given up on life? Us? Your friends? What happened to you?

Angel:

I saw the truth.

Cordelia:

The truth? What truth?

Angel:

I only wanted to make it right. My entire existence has been about extremes. Before I was turned, I only knew drinking and escaping my station. I didn’t want to be part of the world I was born into. Darla gave me my escape. And I reveled in it. I was the worst kind of demon. I enjoyed what I did, took pleasure in it. You saw it remember? You said you felt it.

Cordy:

I don’t want to think about this Angel. What you were then. What you did. You can’t ever want to be that again. Please tell me you don’t want that.

Angel:

(ignoring her)

When I got my soul, when I was cursed. I hated it. I wanted nothing more than to get it out. Make the pain stop. But I learned to live with it. I found a new extreme. I would punish other demons for all that I had done. I fought them and killed them and joined with those who did the same. Then I found what I never dreamed I’d have.

Cordelia:

Angel don’t.

Angel:

She taught me to love. I found Buffy and there was a love that I didn’t believe existed in this world or any other.

Cordelia turns away to avoid looking at him.

Angel:

Just another extreme. And I took it all the way. Regardless of the risk, I couldn’t stop. I wasn’t strong enough. And I lost myself. And then Angelus was back. Everything that happened, everything that I did, she killed me. My greatest strength was my greatest weakness. And when I came back, I knew. Even before I said it, I knew it wouldn’t ever be the same. It couldn’t be. So I left.

Cordelia:

Yes, you left! You left to save yourself and the rest of us. And you did the right thing. So we’re right back to square one Angel. You can’t make that same mistake again. That’s why this is impossible!

Angel:

I asked you once, what you would do if Angelus came back. If I could trust you.

Cordelia:

And I told you you could. But you can’t expect me to stand by and let you invite it in.

Angel:

If we do this right, you may not have to.

Cordy:

What does that mean? Are you saying you can control Angelus now?

Angel:

No, if Angelus is back, I will be gone. I won’t be here to control him. But I can show you how to.

Cordy:

No.

Angel:

Not just you. I can prepare the others. If you all work together, if you all fight him, then you can win.

Cordy:

And what if something goes wrong?

Angel:

Then you kill me before I can hurt anyone.

Cordy:

I’m not Buffy Angel.

Angel:

No you’re not. If you were, this could never work. You will do what is necessary. You won’t let emotion cloud your judgement, not even for a second.

Cordelia:

She couldn’t do it. Not when she should have. She put it off.

Angel:

But you won’t. And neither will any of the others. I will come after you. Angelus thrives on the torture of it. If he wants to end the world, if he wants to join up with this evil, he’ll seek to make you all suffer first. Fast death is not good enough for him. It’s too easy. That’s when the window of opportunity will arise. That’s when he can be controlled. That’s when you can use what he is against him to help you fight this.

Cordy:

There has to be another way Angel. A better way.

Angel:

Then show me.

Lorne:

(from stairs)

Speaking of shows.

Angel and Cordelia look up.

Lorne:

I just got one hell of one upstairs. We have to talk Friends.

Cut to Fred driving in Wes’ jeep

Fred:

(looking nervous)

I hope you know what you’re doing Wesley.

Cut to jeep traveling down the highway passing a sign.

Sunnydale 38 miles