Final Thoughts by Cheri

Chapter Six

Fade in Hyperion

Angel:

What did you see Lorne?

Lorne:

Can we speak in private Angel?

Connor:

I have a right to know.

Cordy:

Did you see something about Connor?

Lorne:

I need to speak with Angel first.

Gunn:

Why put it off? Just tell us already and save some time.

Lorne:

Maybe I wasn’t clear. I need to talk to Angel. It was my reading and I’ll decide who to share it with first okay? Unless of course you’d like to beat it out of me. Hey, I haven’t been tied to a chair in a while!

Gunn:

Don’t tempt me.

Connor:

(to Angel)

What about you? Are you going to do it?

Angel:

What?

Cordy:

No he’s not.

Angel:

Cordelia…

Lorne:

(loudly)

Angel! Office! Now!

He walks away leaving the others staring in surprise at his outburst.

Cut to Wes Apartment

He’s on the phone in obvious shock.

Wes:

Are you certain about this? (pause) No I haven’t heard anything from him or any members of the council in some time now. (pause) I believe that was the way they wanted it. (pause) Then I assume you’re aware of the recent events here. (pause) No Los Angeles. What’s happened in Sunnydale? (pause) Bloody Hell. (pause) No, you will tell me everything you know. (pause) I’d wager you don’t have much of a choice Chap.

 

Cut to Angel’s Office

Lorne:

We have a problem.

Angel:

I’m listening.

Lorne:

Connor hummed a little diddy upstairs. Remind me to tell you the irony of his choice if we are still around when this all plays out.

Angel:

Will there be a point soon?

Lorne:

Funny choice of words. Yes Angel, there will be a point. A very sharp wooden one.

Angel:

(completely unfazed)

So you read Connor and saw he’s going to stake me?

Lorne:

Not exactly, But he will stake someone you love more than you even realize.

Connor bursts through the door.

Connor:

You’re lying! I would never hurt her!

He grabs Lorne by the jacket and Cordy rushes in to grab him from behind.

Cordy:

Connor stop it! What are you doing? (pulling hard) Let him go!

Connor releases him and Cordy reaches to touch his face looking at him with concern.

Cordy:

What happened? Why would you attack Lorne?

Connor:

I heard what he said.

Angel:

You didn’t give him a chance to explain.

Connor:

Because he’s a liar.

Lorne:

I just tell em like I read em.

Connor lunges again.

Angel:

Stop.

Connor:

(looks at Angel)

You believe him over your son.

Cordy:

Would somebody please tell me what’s going on?

Angel can’t see past the sight of Cordy with Connor.

Angel:

Take him home.

Cordy:

What? I’m not going anywhere.

Angel:

And neither am I. Not yet. So just take him and go. It looks like you two could use some time.

Cordy looks down at Connor’s hand resting on her hip and back up to her hand on his shoulder. She drops it and steps back awkwardly leaving a hurt look on Connor’s face. Angel is oblivious.

Cordy:

What are we supposed to do? Just pretend like the worst thing we’ve ever faced isn’t about to tear loose on us?

Gunn:

(entering office)

That’s what everyone else is doing.

Angel:

What?

Gunn:

I was checking out the radio in there. Sounds like everything is being explained away by the science nerds and politicians. Nothing to worry about, don’t panic, yada, yada.

Lorne:

Good.

Cordy:

Good?

Lorne:

Yeah, the less they know or believe, the easier our job will be. We don’t have time to be slowed down by the freaks that would come out of the woodwork if word actually got out of the severity of our situation.

Angel:

Lorne’s right. We should be thankful for the day players denial. We need to deal with this our way. Without interference. Now go get some rest. We won’t do anything without you. You’re both going to need you’re strength for what’s coming.

Connor:

It’s not true. Whatever he thinks he saw, he’s wrong. Besides, it doesn’t even make sense.

Angel:

I know. Just stay together until you hear from us. That shouldn’t be too hard.

Cordy:

What does that mean? Angel?

Connor:

Let’s just go. I want to go home.

He takes her hand and pulls her away. Angel struggles to focus on anything other than watching them leave.

Cut to Sunnydale

Interior: Summers House

Dawn:

You’ve gone completely gustapo! I can’t believe you.

Buffy:

And I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.

Dawn:

How can you expect me to just go to school like nothing’s wrong?

Buffy:

Dawn, if I cut school everytime evil came calling or one of my friends was MIA, I’d still be there. You have to go to class. End of discussion.

Dawn:

It could be the end of the world and you’d be all, “Dawn, is your homework done?” I swear, for a slayer, you sure can be stodgy.

Buffy:

I’ll show you stodgy if you don’t get upstairs and get ready.

Dawn:

You don’t scare me you know. My fighting is getting pretty solid and you know it. You should have seen me before.

Buffy:

Yeah I heard all about it from Xander.

Dawn:

I so could’ve got out of that! Xander just has a hero complex.

Buffy:

Fine. You’re the it. Now go!

Dawn reluctantly obeys and Buffy walks back into the living room.

Willow and Anya are on the couch.

Xander is surveying the damage.

Xander:

I may not have the superpowers or the witchy factor or the ex demon thing going for me, but if ever there is a doubt as to my importance in our little gang, I want us all to remember this moment.

Willow:

Sunnydale’s own Bob Vila.

Xander:

This is all I’m saying.

Buffy:

Can you get us up and running by nightfall?

Xander:

Given the right supplies, enough man power and no more visits from our harbinger buddies I’d say…not likely.

Anya:

What?

Xander:

Care to take a gander with me Ladies? I’ll be lucky if I can cover all the holes by nightfall. We’re on the cusp of structural damage here. I’m only one man.

Buffy:

Just do the best you can. I have to get ready for work.

Willow:

What? What about finding Spike?

Buffy:

(pauses)

We’ll find him. But I can’t miss another day of work. People will start asking questions. Namely Principal Wood.

Anya:

He’s probably dead. My money’s on sacrifice.

Buffy’s visibly upset by the image.

Xander:

Anya, letting loose with the tact once again.

Willow:

He’s not dead. If they wanted him dead, he’d be dead here. They took him for a reason. They needed him.

Xander:

Yeah, cause he’s the First’s vessel of choice.

Buffy:

It wasn’t his fault Xander.

Xander:

Of course not. But it was his choice to go and get himself all soulified. This thing came after Angel because of what’s he’d done, what it wanted him to do, to be. It wasn’t interested until he came back.

Anya:

I still don’t understand. Buffy fought this once before. Why didn’t it stick around then?

Willow:

Cause Buffy saved Angel. Then it snowed.

Anya:

You defeated the first with snow?

Buffy:

Guys stop! You’re trying to relate two events that are completely different. The reasons it wanted Angel gone aren’t the same. He has nothing to do with this. So just stop…please. I have to get changed.

She exits and the others sit in uncomfortable silence.

Xander:

Ok, was she more upset about Spike being gone, the First stopping by Sunnydale, or the mention of Angel?

No one has an answer.

 

Cut to Exterior – Open Road

Wesley and Lilah stand by a fence.

Lilah:

You realize the extreme danger I’ve put myself in I hope.

Wesley:

You realize I don’t believe you I hope.

Lilah:

Either way, you owe me one.

Wes:

You can collect when this all over.

Lilah:

Very funny.

Wes:

I have to go.

Lilah:

So do I.

Wes:

(looks around)

It’s rather deserted here isn’t it?

Lilah:

Would it matter if it wasn’t?

They drop down kissing and tearing at eachother’s clothes.

Cut to Lobby – Hyperion

Gunn:

It’s too quiet. I don’t like it.

Lorne:

Enjoy it while you can.

Angel:

Wesley should have been back by now. Call him again.

Gunn:

He isn’t picking up man. He obviously isn’t available.

Lorne:

Angel, maybe we could finish discussing my reading now?

Angel:

What else is there? Connor’s gonna try and kill Cordy. I got it.

Lorne:

I never…

Before he can finish, several robed, hooded figures crash through the back doors.

Gunn and Angel take defensive stances while Lorne crouches behind the counter.

Lorne:

(to himself)

Here we go.

The first machete comes spiraling towards Angel and he steps aside as it passes between he and Gunn. They both roll in opposite directions to find weapons.

Gunn grabs hold of a hatchet by the office door and jumps to his feet getting a quick blow to the face. He doesn’t falter and takes a swing, missing the first time but making contact in the down swing. His attacker drops.

Angel isn’t able to find anything and is kicked against a wall. The figure comes at him but is stopped by another. They seem to communicate for a moment as Angel rises to his feet. Gunn does the same and Lorne peeks over the counter.

Gunn:

Angel? What’d you do?

Angel:

You got me. I was just getting my ass kicked.

The two turn and walk out the front door. Before the three men can wipe the confused looks off their faces, the door opens again.

An object is thrown into the middle of the lobby and the door slams shut.

Lorne:

(standing up slowly)

Did someone forget to tell me it was their birthday?

Gunn:

What the hell is that?

Angel:

(steps forward hesitantly)

I’m not sure.

Gunn:

Maybe it’s a bomb.

Lorne:

Did you say bomb?

Angel reaches the box and kneels down looking at it closely.

Lorne:

Aren’t there people trained to deal with bombs? A squad or something?

Angel:

I don’t think…

Before he finishes, the box lid opens and a green gas rises out and into Angel’s eyes and mouth knocking him down.

Gunn:

Angel!

Angel slowly raises up trying to figure out what happened.

Lorne:

Well, the not a bomb part has to be a silver lining right?

Gunn:

(giving Angel a hand up)

You okay? How ya feel?

Angel:

I’m fine. I mean, I don’t feel anything. It just surprised me. But it didn’t hurt.

Gunn:

So what’d it do then?

Voice:

I think I can answer that.

They look to see a man standing at the door.

Lorne:

O ahead then.

Man:

Angel, you’ve been marked.

Gunn:

Marked for what? And who are you?

Angel:

(quietly)

Giles.

Gunn/Lorne:

Who?

 

Cut to Sunnydale High School

Buffy walks down the passageways beneath the school. She comes upon the seal.

Cut to Summers House

Xander is nailing a board in place when someone knocks on the door. He goes to open it and smiles at the girl.

Xander:

Well hello there. What can I do you for?

Fred:

Hi, is this Buffy’s house?

Xander:

Why yes it is. But she’s not here. Can I help you instead? (pause then mumbles) Please God, let me help her.

Fred:

(confused)

Well, I could…my name is Fred. I came to…well I need to tell her…

Xander:

It’s okay. Just say it.

Fred:

Wesley Wyndham Price sent me. We need the Slayer.

Xander:

(exhales in frustration and opens the door to let her in)

Get in line. (closes the door then yells over Fred’s head) Willow!

Cut to empty room

The door opens and Wesley stands. She’s led in and the door closes behind her.

Wesley:

Hello Faith.

Cut to SHS – underneath at Seal

Buffy is studying the seal and noting the blood on it when her cell phone rings startling her.

Buffy:

What?

Xander:

And they Slayers aren’t friendly.

Buffy:

Sorry. I’m at the school. I found something.

Xander:

Well, someone is here trying to find you.

Buffy:

What? (she hears something and slowly looks up) Xander, something’s here.

Xander:

I know. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Buffy?

Buffy:

Oh God.

Xander:

Buffy? What’s going on?

Buffy:

(sees Spike)

What did they do to you?

Spike:

(eyes barely open)

Get…out.

Buffy:

Don’t be stup…

She’s tackled from behind and the phone gets smashed against the ground.