Author:
Toothy, veggieburger, VKMax
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Date Posted: 19:32:35 03/13/04 Sat
Author Host/IP: 62.252.0.6
INT-WILTON'S MANSION-DUSK
Angel is at Connor's bedside.
ANGEL
Connor...son... you can't leave me. Not again. I won't let it happen.
For a brief moment, Angel considers making Connor like him; an immortal. He takes Connors hand, gently stoking it as he ponders the depth of where is mind has just taken him. He leans in as he brings Connor's hand to his lips. Gently kissing Connor's fingers as he wonders if his quilt can ever be ended. Connor enters a REM state dream as his eyes start twitching beneath his still closed lids. A drop of Connor's dried blood sends Angel into a whirlwind as he's pulled through a tunnel and into Connor's dreams.
CONNOR
Cody...you can't leave me. You're my best friend...my only friend.
CODY
That's not true. There are others who love you.
CONNOR
I don't care about them.
CODY
Please don't hate me, Connor
CONNOR
You're my best bud, I don't hate you. How could I?
CODY
How could I hate my mother? But I did. When she died I felt as if she left me on purpose and I had so much anger...I...I...well look what happened to me.
CONNOR
I'm going to get you help. It's going to be ok.
CODY
Yes, it's going to be ok, but it's too late for me. I know that now.
CONNOR
That's crazy talk and I won't listen.
CODY
You have to listen, because I understand now. My mother never left me. She's always been with me. She's with me now...I feel her waiting for me. We'll be together again.... Soon. It's important for you to understand family is forever.
The scene changes, as Conner is now the one being held.
CONNOR
Dad?
HOLTZ
You've got a hard head, I'll say that about you, son. How many times have I told you to watch your back during our training exercises.
This image fades as a series of flashes of Connors life scroll by. Angel watches from the side as Connor also sees himself from a third person's view as his memories lost, return. The women of his life pass by. His girlfriend first and then....Jasmine....Cordy...and lastly....Darla. He reaches out to her, but the image has gone. Suddenly he sees himself looking up from his baby crib as Angel looks down on him.
CONNOR
Dad?
Now awake and back in this reality, Connor looks around the room and then to Angel who is seated beside his bed.
ANGEL
You had me worried for a minute.
CONNOR
Dad...tell me about my mother.
ANGEL
I will son. There will be time for everything, but you need to rest now.
CONNOR
It's ok. I feel strong.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT-WILTON'S MANSION
Angel exits Connor's room. Closing the door behind him, he then makes his way to the living area. Spike and Willow are seated, talking in hushed voices as Angel enters.
SPIKE
How's the boy?
ANGEL
He's awake now. Says he feels strong, but something strange just happened.
Suddenly Willow stands as she senses power. She holds out her arms in an effort to feel where it's coming from.
WILLOW
Wait...
A ripple flows through the room as the last few moments repeat it's self.
Angel exits Connor's room. Closing the door behind him, he then makes his way to the living area. Spike, Willow and Fred are seated, talking in hushed voices as Angel enters.
SPIKE
How's the boy?
ANGEL
He's awake now. Says he feels strong, but something strange just happened.
Everyone looks to Willow expecting her to stand.
WILLOW
OK, what just happened?
SPIKE
You tell us pet. Did you cause that?
WILLOW
I don't think so. I feel something or should I say I felt something that first time.
ANGEL
But nothing now.
WILLOW
No, nothing now. But you said something strange happened?
ANGEL
Just now in Connor's room, he was remembering his past and I..I was there with him.
SPIKE
Maybe it's some residual effects of the mind wipe you worked on everybody. It must be connected.
ANGEL
What do think Willow?
WILLOW
I'm not sure. It could be. I'm ah...working to understand that spell.
ANGEL
We've got more pressing matters at hand. I'm going to help Gunn.
SPIKE
and how are you going to do that mate? He's kicked all of our asses.
ANGEL
I'm going to talk him down.
SPIKE
No offence, but I don't think yellow crayon speeches are going to work on Gunn.
WILLOW
How do you know about that? You weren’t even around. Did Xander tell you?
SPIKE
couldn’t get him to stop. It's all he talked about.
ANGEL
I thinking more along the lines of tough love.
SPIKE
So, what? you're gonna smack around until he runs out of gas?
ANGEL
Some thing like that.
WILLOW
Not wanting to get smacked around, but maybe I should go with you…put up a protection spell. If this is going to be a crazy dance marathon...we could be a couple.
SPIKE
Count me in too.
ANGEL
Why is it that I get the feeling you just want to see me get smacked around Spike?
SPIKE
maybe because you know me too well.
ANGEL
Thanks for the offers, but Gunn is one of mine and I owe him this chance. Besides, if this doesn't work, this time I need you guys to be the second line of defence. If this doesn't work, I'm depending on all of you to keep Connor safe.
SPIKE
You can count on that.
WILLOW
But we don't know where he is. Should I do a locator spell?
ANGEL
He's gone back to W&H. The one place where he feels safe, powerful.
WILLOW
How can you be sure?
SPIKE
I agree. He still feels a loyalty to W&H. Check the basement first.
WILLOW
Why the basement?
SPIKE
Trust me. Evil always goes to the basement.
WILLOW
How will we know if it works or not?
SPIKE
Maybe if a big scary black man shows up at our door in a very sour mood.
WILLOW
Right. Don't you need to prepare? Are you sure you're ready?
ANGEL
I died and came back from hell ready.
Angel calmly and resolutely walks out the door.
WILLOW
Good luck!
CUT TO.
INT – WILTONS MANSION
Cordelia sits at the table with her head in her hands as Groo enters
GROO
Do you need rubbing?
Cordelia smiles thankfully and nods
GROO
(Rubbing shoulders)
I don’t think Mrs. Wilton will like the new stairs
CORDELIA
We’ll pay for replacement
GROO
But you just made them new
CORDELIA
They’re not new sweetie, they’re broken.
Fred limps in using Wesley as a support
FRED
Can I get one of those?
WESLEY
A Grossalug?
FRED
A back rub
WESLEY
Oh
CORDELIA
(gesturing)
Wesley!
WESLEY
Oh
(beat – duh)
Oh yes of course
FRED
Thanks Wesley
(pause)
How’s Connor?
CORDELIA
He’ll live – Daddy’s playing…Daddy
(beat)
What about Harmony and Gwen?
WESLEY
Seems a friendship has formed, Gwen’s shocking Harmonies mug to warm her blood
CORDELIA
Cute
FRED
What do you think Angel will do?
CORDELIA
Buy more blood
FRED
I mean about Gunn
The room falls to silence, a silence broken as Mrs. Wilton comes swinging through the door.
MRS. WILTON
Where’s my staircase?
CORDELIA
We can explain?
MRS. WILTON
Did you have a party?
(to Groo)
You did, didn’t you? And you didn’t invite me?! After all I’ve done for you
FRED
What?
MRS. WILTON
Looks like it was a big one too
(looks around)
Where’s the cute brooding guy?
END OF PART FIVE
INT-W&H-BASEMENT
Angel walks the corridors and as he turns a corner, even without his vampire sense of smell, he knows where Gunn is. At the end of the hall, the double doors to the mechanical room have been ripped opened so violently they hang wide open, nearly pulled from their hinges.
ANGEL
(whispers to himself)
Someone's not getting a paycheque this week.
As he stands in the doorway, he puts a hand to one of the doors. He can still sense the vibrations of power. Peering into the darkened room, even his preternatural eyes can't see through the abundance of machinery which fills the room. Large metal boxes with pipes and valves which twist and turn, above and below give the appearance of an octopus reaching out it's tentacles. In the most modern climate controlled office building, the basement is still a dark dank place. As foreign to the uninitiated that even the strongest of hearts can't help but to have a sense of dread, just as a child fears imaginary monsters in a darkened closet.
ANGEL
I take this as an open invitation.
From deep inside the bowels of the room
GUNN
I knew you would come. I've been waiting.
ANGEL
I'm here to help. You don't have to be alone.
GUNN
You seem to be the one that's alone.....Again.
ANGEL
No, we're still a team.
GUNN
I think I liked you better as Angelus. He may not be big on the team work, but his honesty was refreshing.
ANGEL
Perhaps you'd like to have a go at giving me that moment of true happiness. Can't seem to keep your women lately.
With that, Gunn steps out of the shadows. Full of rage, he grabs Angel by the chest and hurls him across the room. Crashing through pipes, Angel ends up slumped against the far wall.
ANGEL
(quietly to himself)
I knew that would get him going.
GUNN
You think this is funny!
Gunn strides towards Angel, breaking more pipes as he does. His muscles ripple with anger as sweat pours off his body.
GUNN
I'm changing this game. This is my playground now.
ANGEL
You want truth. Get over yourself.
Gunn lifts Angel by the throat and punches him hard in the stomach. This sends Angel flying across the room again.
GUNN
Not looking so good now are you?
ANGEL
I haven't looked in a mirror in over two hundred years. When's the last time you tried?
Gunn stands over Angel as the room has filled with steam from the broken pipes. A purple aura surrounds Gunn and wafts through the steam as he reaches down to grab Angel once again.
GUNN
This is getting boring. Have you no fight in you at all?
ANGEL
I don't need to fight you. You'll fail like all the rest.
GUNN
I won't fail because I don't care. Jasmine lost because she wanted world domination...she needed constant worship. You lost when you sold us all out for your son.
ANGEL
You get a little power and you think you're a god. Funny thing about power, in order to control it, you have to be willing not use it.
GUNN
What do you know about it, vampire. I'm talking human nature, but you cut yourself off from the world. I understand the man on the street. Ask anybody if they want someone dead and list of names will flash through their heads. Guess who’s at the top of my list?
ANGEL
You can't blame people for their thoughts. It's actions that count.
Gunn begins a flurry of punches as sweat pours out of his body. The steam surrounding him is bright purple now.
GUNN
How do like them actions?
Getting no response Gunn slaps him across the face.
GUNN
You still with me vampire?
ANGEL
(barely audible)
You can't beat me to death. Where's your weapon?
GUNN
Haven't you heard, a gun is a weapon.
Gunn takes Angel by the throat and lifts him into the air.
GUNN
I can just rip your head off
Gunn stands holding Angel by the throat, thoroughly enjoying the moment.
But he has failed.
The poison, which has affected his body and mind, is now cleansed from his system. The purple haze surrounding him has dissipated and with it, his power.
Unable to hold Angel, he drops him to the floor. He collapses to his knees and then on all fours, coming face to face with Angel.
GUNN
You bastard. You knew this would happen. You rope-a-doped me.
ANGEL
Yeah, tough love. So you're back then?
GUNN
Yeah, I'm back.
With his last once of strength he clenches his fist and punches Angel square in the jaw, knocking him out.
GUNN
Tough love
with a last grin of satisfaction, Gunn passes out next to Angel, leaving the two unconscious on the floor
FADE TO WHITE.
PAN: Around a brightly lit White Room.
CLOSE: Angel’s unconscious face. His eye open
CLOSE: Angel sits up
PULL BACK: Angel stands up in the White Room, right side.
In the middle of the room, Skip sits in an easy chair with a TV Tray table next to him, watching a TV and VCR set-up in the left corner. One hand has the TV remote, the other snags hot wings from the TV tray.
SKIP
Angel. Want some wings?
ANGEL
What is this?
(regards Skip)
Well, you’re dead, so I’m dreaming. OK, fine. Back to sleep.
SKIP
Angel, buddy. Not dreaming. You don’t remember this room?
Skip points to another corner. Gunn sits in the corner, swaddled in a straightjacket, eyes open, catatonic and rocking gently back and forth.
SKIP
Y’ know, Mesketet told you that people tend to go a little wacky when they visit here, but no one told the big guy there (indicating Gunn). Hope you two get along, you’re pretty much what’s left.
ANGEL
What are you talking about?
SKIP
I knew I shoulda brought a hand puppet so I could talk to you in a way you’d understand. This is it, pal. Master Control. The only place where time still works.
Angel strides to the door and is ready to open it.
ANGEL
You’re trying to screw with me. Like you did Cordy.
SKIP
I wouldn’t open that door if I were you. Nothing but oblivion on the other side. Timeless void.
Yeah, I know. You’re thinking I talk a lot for a guy that’s hacked up in your basement floor.
ANGEL
I don’t know how this is happening, but I know Wes killed you. So this can’t be real.
SKIP
Well, yes and no, champ. That event hasn’t happened yet. Or actually, it has but time is now out of sequence. See, that’s what Mesketet was here for – to keep time in line. One event following another. Until she got iced by the Beast. No little girl to stop W/H from letting a certain genie out of the bottle.
Skip tosses a small red ball in his hand. He throws it toward the ceiling and it turns into a familiar looking urn that shatters on the floor when it falls.
SKIP
Sahjahn, Demon of Chaos. From a dimension where time is, well, out of time. Oh, yeah, Justine put time in a bottle, but W/H has a way of getting a hold of things when they want them. How do you think W/H brought Connor back? With a little bribe under the table? With a little hoodoo incantation? To mess with time, brother, you need the very guy who had every reason in the world to want you to cut your son’s throat.
ANGEL
(looking sick)
Sahjahn. Wolfram and Hart released Sahjahn in order to change time. Rewrite it.
SKIP
Hey, we might not have to hold you back a grade after all. Remember the prophecy? Sahjahn thought Connor would grow up to kill him. What better incentive to change a berserk teenage warrior into a happy little college boy. But there’s a little problem. Too many changes in too many realities were needed to make it work. You can’t hold something like that together without the CD starting to skip in places. Time is now all messed up.
ANGEL
So. I’ll fix it. I’ll change it. Tell me where he is. I’ll kill him.
SKIP
Oh, you you you. Always you. Remember that little speech I gave you guys about your fates all being fixed in advance? OK, I was jerkin’ your chain. But you’re all connected. You’ve just never accepted that, Angel. It’s not just your actions, your decisions that matter. Do you see where I’m going with this? Probably not.
Skip channel surfs.
ANGEL
So what are you telling me? That Connor’s in danger? I’ll protect him.
SKIP
Have you listened to a single word I’ve said? Connor’s remembering. Wes is remembering. Pretty soon, Connor’s little adopted family is gonna look over the top of the Thanksgiving turkey and say “who is this guy?” And while all this is going on, Sahjahn’s gonna open up a little zipper in the sky and let all his other demon buddies in. Chaos and death, I believe is what Mesketet said. If you can’t bring Mohammed to the Quortoth mountain, then –
ANGEL
What, you’re saying Sahjahn will bring Quortoth into this dimension?
SKIP
No, I’m saying Quortoth IS this dimension! Or will be in another time. Crap, go read some H.G. Wells instead of comic books for a change. Let me make this simple (makes a “hand puppet” motion with his hand) Sahjahn is loose. And I’m sure it hasn’t escaped his notice that his mojo is unravelling. If your little sonny remembers his mission in life, namely to kill Sahjahn, guess which testy Time Demon will go looking for him first? Better go, pal, time’s a wastin’.
Suddenly, Skip is gone. Angel is alone. The walls of the White Room begin to run red, as if blood is being poured down the walls.
ANGEL
Connor!
He runs for the door, and flees into an empty hallway. Blocking his way to the elevator is SAHJAHN, holding a formidable sythe-like axe.
SAHJAHN
Angel! Remember me? Well, with your short attention span, maybe not. You guys all have AADD, right? What’s that called – “Deficient Adult Disorder”?
ANGEL
Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, and why am I bothering to say that when I should be killing you.
They square off – Angel has no weapon, so he’s at a disadvantage.
SAHJAHN
No, I was right the first time. Deficient Adult Disorder. You and your whole crew have it. Can’t even keep an infant safe or raise a teenage boy. Guess it does take a village – idiot.
Angel charges Sahjahn and tries to wrest control of the weapon. Sahjahn tosses Angel around like a toy, and gives him a powerful blow with the blunt end.
SAHJAHN
Pretty ironic that I was released to change time for the little bugger I’d really rather kill. But he was harmless to me as Joe College. Wasn’t like he was studying Ancient Prophecies 101.
Angel charges again and manages to gain control of the weapon. Sahjahn laughs, stands still.
SAHJAHN
Hey, take your best-shot, Dad.
Angel swings and the weapon passes through Sahjahn, who is insubstantial.
SAHJAHN
Forgot that little spell the Ra Tet did to rob me of my material form? Yeah, I thought so. I thought you guys got a memory wipe, not a frontal lobotomy. Better drop by the pharmacy and get some ginkgo biloba.
(Slugs Angel with his fist, knocking him almost unconscious).
But it’s your son I came to kill. All I need is a little – time. Get it? See you – later! (disappears)
Angel stands up in shock. He fumbles in his pocket and gets his cell phone.
ANGEL
(dialing it frantically)
Gotta reach Connor!
(it rings, no answer)
Connor! CONNOR!
Suddenly Angel is standing outside, in another neighborhood on a dark unpleasant night. A very pregnant and in pain Darla is there, held up by Cordy as Wes pounds on the door. Angel is too panicked to notice and redials his cellphone.
CORDY
Angel! ANGEL! What are you doing?
Angel realises he’s pounding his dialling finger into an empty palm – there’s no phone.
CORDY
I hope you can count on this guy.
Angel realises they’re standing at the door to Caritas.
ANGEL
What’s happening here? This is the past!
Sahjahn appears behind him.
SAHJAHN
Yeah, duh. Time demon. A little thing I can do. I don’t have to fight Connor to kill him. All I have to do is undo his birth. You think I’m gonna risk fighting the little bugger who’s prophesied to kill me??
The door opens, the gang enters. The rest of the gang don’t see Sahjahn, who follows.
Lorne is in the middle of repairs to the showroom, as they hustle in.
LORNE (eyeing the pregnant Darla)
I don’t think this is a good idea --
The scene freezes.
SAHJAHN (at Lorne)
Damn right, green boy. She stays and you lose this little glory hole of a night-club. Think it’s worth it? Ready to have your whole life turned upside down by a puling baby? Just say no. She’ll miscarry. Game over.
ANGEL (to Sahjahn)
You can’t remake the past.
SAHJAHN
Think not? You love to make the big decisions, don’t you, boss. But this decision isn’t yours.
ANGEL
Lorne won’t turn us out. He’s too compassionate.
SAHJAHN
Yeah, what a guy. Just full of the milk of non-human kindness. Not like you. Did you ever really care about your team? Or are they just props to get what you want done?
ANGEL
The team knows what it takes to get the job done.
Sahjahn howls with laughter.
SAHJAHN
Man, you don’t get it! Tell me you love them, that you feel a connection to them. If you can do that, I’ll – (pauses) go away.
Angel stands there sputtering. The scene unfreezes.
LORNE (looking at Darla with concern)
She can use my bedroom.
A bright light and the scene changes. They are again outside in an alley in the pouring rain. Darla lies suffering on the ground, ready to give birth. Angel falls to his knees beside her, in profound emotional pain.
DARLA (to Angel)
It’s the one good thing we ever did.
The scene freezes
SAHJAHN
OK, so green boy was a washout. However, mommy here has a more refined sense of self-preservation. What d’ya say, blondie. A few moments of painful stillbirth and then you can get on with your unlife.
ANGEL (to Sahjahn)
I get it. You can’t kill Connor yourself. Otherwise, that’s what you’d be doing. Something to do with the spell the Ra Tet cast, and the prophecy. Someone else has to do it for you. That’s why you needed Holtz. You can give it up now, pal. I see your lame plan.
SAHJAHN
Really? You haven’t noticed I can just jump you around in time? Your witch friend might be able to undo the mind wipe but all I have to do is keep you busy. There are enough people that would love to see your little brat out of the picture. I just have to find the right person, the right place, the right time.
ANGEL
Dream on. I’ll tire you out. If it takes eternity, you’ll never harm my son.
SAHJAHN (to Darla)
Hey, Darla. I haven’t got all day! Whelp the dead baby already! Make a decision!
Darla stakes herself.
SAHJAHN
Compassion. Love. Self sacrifice. This sucks.
The scene changes. They are back at Wolfram and Hart in the empty hallway, squaring off. Spike and Connor are running toward them. Angel sees this.
ANGEL
Connor! Get out of here, son!
SPIKE
Angel, something’s going wrong with Willow’s spell. Time is –
ANGEL
Yeah, I know.
Spike stops and puts his hand out to stop Connor from advancing.
SPIKE (to Sahjahn)
I recognise you. Wes has a rendering of you, in that big pile of papers that’s driving him loony. A little thing about Connor and a prophecy.
(acts smug and “old Spike” like).
Well, mate. We square off at last.
SAHJAHN
What? Who the hell are you?
SPIKE
Crap, you’re the one who rewrote it. Remember? “The one sired by the vampire with a soul shall grow to manhood and kill Sahjahn.” SIRED, you idiot! And even you mistranslated “grow to manhood”. It’s “becomes human”. And that’s me, mate. Sired by a souled vamp, all human again, and here to kick your ass.
Spike turns his back to Sahjahn and winks at Angel, then says
SPIKE
Get the boy out of here.
ANGEL
Spike, you can’t beat –
SPIKE (yelling)
PROTECT YOUR SON! (turns back to Sahjahn) I’ll just mop up nancy boy here and join up with you later.
Angel manoeuvres toward Connor, grabs his arm and they run out. Sahjahn’s face shows that he isn’t so sure Spike isn’t telling the truth.
SPIKE
Okay, Sasha.
SAHJAHN
Sahjahn. You translated the prophecy and you can’t get my name right? You’re full of it. But your butt I can kick. You’re not the boy. And I don’t believe you translated it. It would take a thousand years –
SPIKE
Without access to a net of clustered supercomputers. Nice IT department, has Wolfram and Hart. (realises he doesn’t have a weapon) So – you wanna dance or just give up? I’m a reasonable chap, even though I’m prophesied to clean your clock. Wanna just shake on it and –
Sahjahn sends Spike sailing across the room.
SPIKE (staggering to his feet)
Bloody hell.
Sahjahn grabs Spike and bangs his body against the wall like a rag doll until Spike loses consciousness. Sahjahn steps over Spike’s unconscious body and looks down the hallway.
SAHJAHN
You can run. But you can’t escape time.
Cut to: Angel and Connor fleeing down the hall.
CONNOR
Dad, stop. Why are we running? I’m meant to kill him.
ANGEL (stops)
How do you know that?
CONNOR
The file. Or what I saw of it before Gunn wiped the floor with me.
ANGEL
Connor, I can’t let you. Prophecies – they never turn out right. (anguished) Only one did. The father will kill the son.
CONNOR
Dad, don’t –
ANGEL
I won’t risk losing you, Connor.
CONNOR
Dad, can’t you see what’s happening? Time is unravelling! I have to kill Sahjahn or the whole world will be in chaos! Are you willing to sacrifice the whole world to protect me?
ANGEL (beat)
Yes.
CONNOR (angrily)
Well, maybe it’s not your decision to make. (shakes off Angel’s protective hand on his arm)
ANGEL
I’m connected to you, Connor.
CONNOR
Yeah? What about the others? Wes? Cordy? Fred? The whole freaking world? You’re connected to them too, but you don’t get it. YOU DON’T GET IT! None of you do. You’re all ready to feel some stranger’s pain, but you won’t allow yourselves to feel joy. Or hope. Or love.
(Connor paces as he talks)
I couldn’t feel it either. I was a wild thing, mindless with rage. Even Jasmine couldn’t bring me joy. But you did, Dad. You rewrote my life. You gave me laughter and unwrapping presents under the Christmas tree. And birthdays and sisters and goofy parents. That’s how I can deal with the lies, the stalking, the little dance we did together to get where we are now. I love you, Dad! Because I can! Because I can feel connected – to you, to the rest of them, even Spike.
ANGEL
You remember.
CONNOR
I’m remembering everything. But it’s okay, because I remember the good stuff too.
ANGEL
We’ve got to find Willow.
They get to the elevator and enter it. But find them selves at the front door of the Hyperion. Wes is exiting the door, holding a baby. Sahjahn stands beside him, unseen. The scene is frozen, but Angel, Connor and Sahjahn are not. Sahjahn beckons to Angel and Connor.
CONNOR (see Sahjahn, rages)
I’m gonna kill you! It’s destiny! You’re already a goner!
ANGEL (holds Connor back, trying to bluff Sahjahn – who is still invulnerable to weapons)
No, Connor. You’re not the one meant to kill him. Remember what Spike said?
SAHJAHN
Yeah, nice dodge by the Bleach Blonde. Does he know that’s gonna ruin his scalp? Hey, Connor, take a look through the family scrapbook. Here’s Uncle Wes. Just about to turn you over to a life of torture in Quortoth. Still feel all connected?
ANGEL
Wes was trying to save Connor. I understand that now. I’ve forgiven Wes.
SAHJAHN
Well, that’s manly of you. How about you, Connor? Forgive Wes for a life on Quortoth?
Connor hesitates, confused.
SAHJAHN
You can make it never happen, Connor. All the terror. All the agony. All the madness you endured when you came here to kill your father. Your failures. Your murder of an innocent. I can roll it back. Or rather, you can. Take the baby from Wes’s arms. Put two fingers over the infant’s nostrils. Simple. Painless. Erase it all, Connor.
ANGEL
Don’t listen to him, Connor.
SAHJAHN
Or how about you, Dad? After all, you killed him once before. I can make you relive those watery three months, over and over. Or you can erase it. Every insult, every betrayal, all the painful fallout of loving this ungrateful brat. Just take the baby from Wes and –
ANGEL
Screw you, Sahjahn. There’s nothing you can do to me that’ll make me harm my son.
SAHJAHN (to “frozen” Wes)
What about you, book boy? Driven almost crazy by a tailspin into darkness. Obsessed and tortured by your guilt. Driven toward a love you loathed and then embraced, only to risk your very soul. Just put the mewling brat down and walk away. Your decision will change everything. The father will kill the son. Sink his fangs into the infant. I don’t even need to force it. It will be inevitable – if you only put the baby down and walk away. Your decision, book boy. No one else’s.
The scene unfreezes. Angel and Connor watch Wes walk out the door holding Angel’s infant son.
ANGEL (stunned)
My god, Wes suffered. I can see it in his eyes. It must have been horrible for him. He must have loved you so much, Connor.
CONNOR
No, Dad. He must have loved you so much.
SAHJAHN
Ah, gag! What is this, a male bonding session? OK, time to play hardball.
The scene changes. Angel and Connor are in the Sporting Goods store where Angel delivered the killing blow that would rewrite Connor’s life. Only this time, Connor and Angel aren’t watching it – they are living it. Angel’s arm is in mid-swing! The knife is coming down. Angel is about to kill Connor!
Angel freezes in horror before delivering the killing blow.
ANGEL (voice full of emotion)
I do love you, Connor. (drops the knife). I get it. I get it now. (pulls Connor up into his arms and embraces him tightly) I get it!
Behind Angel, Sahjahn screams as he turns material. A shimmer goes through the air. Willow’s spell is completed and Sahjahn’s control over time is ended. He is just a demon needin’ an ass-kickin’.
CONNOR
Dad. Let’s kick some ass.
Angel and Connor jump up.
ANGEL
I believe this dance is yours, Connor.
CONNOR
Righy-oh.
Connor picks up the knife that Angel dropped. Sahjahn readies his axe as Connor rushes him with a speed Sahjahn can’t match. For all his power, Connor is simply too quick for him. Connor stabs Sahjahn in one eye. The two grapple as Connor gets control of the axe, and hurls Sahjahn’s body across the room. Sahjahn grabs a hockey stick and charges Connor again. Connor leaps onto Sahjahn and blinds the other eye. Sahjahn throws Connor off, but staggers in a circle, blinded and howling with pain. Connor retrieves the axe and beheads Sahjahn. Sahjahn’s body falls to the ground, shatters like glass and disappears.
The air shimmers.
END OF PART SIX
They are in Wilton’s Mansion. The gang is gathered around, nursing their various injuries in the living room. They all looked as if they’ve been through the battle of their lives. Gunn is with them, shuddering in shock on his knees.
Fred sits next to him on the floor, looking down, fighting off tears, comforted by Willow. Harmony tries awkwardly to soothe Spike’s bruises. Cordy and Groo try to attend Gunn as he shivers.
GROO
Don’t worry, Charles. You will be fine soon. It is over, this terrible thing that happened to you.
WILLOW
Fred, you okay, sweetie?
FRED
I feel sick to my stomach. What they did – to Gunn, to poor Knox and Lacey. Knox gave his life to protect me and they used his dead body (starts to cry). I’ve been so selfish. I can’t go back. I just don’t know what to do.
CORDY
Fred, you’re one of us. You’re family. Come stay with us. Take some down time.
CONNOR
Yeah, family’s forever. A little ghosty-bird told me that. (Puts his arms around Fred’s shoulder – Fred can’t believe it for a moment, then leans her head into Connor’s shoulder).
Angel leans down in front of Gunn.
ANGEL
Hey, champ. It’s over. (waves a hand in front of Gunn’s eyes) You there, Charles?
Angel looks concerned, remembering the vision of Gunn in a straightjacket.
ANGEL
I don’t hate you, Gunn. None of us do. Come back to us. Let’s –
Gunn stands up and looks at Angel. He looks shell-shocked but lucid enough.
GUNN (very quietly)
Angel. Thanks for everything. (he starts to walk out)
ANGEL
Where are you going?
GUNN (very quietly)
I got a job to do. I work for Wolfram and Hart. (he walks out, almost staggering)
ANGEL (quietly to Cordy)
Call Lilah.
CORDY
Call the uber-bitca?
ANGEL
Please. Ask her to watch Gunn’s back for us. Remember, she’s working with us now.
CORDY
She’s working both sides.
(beat)
Okay, I’ll call her.
CUT TO.
INT – DARKROOM
Lilah is stood proudly to the voice calling down on her – as if she’s talking to someone sat in front of her.
VOICE
Ms. Morgan
LILAH
So was there a particular reason for the little mid tripping or was that jus tthe hell of causing a headache?
VOICE
Silence
(beat)
I assume you know the reason for your calling
LILAH
Yes.
VOICE
You were reanimated in order to pull team Angel in several different directions, later assigned to manipulate Mr. Wyndham-Price to the dark side of grey.
LILAH
Yes.
VOICE
You failed. Not only did you fail on the account that the remaining and might I add constructive, powerful, intellectual and physically wealthy members are now closer. But you betrayed the company by allowing your ounce of humanity to get the better of you.
LILAH
I know.
VOICE
Now, Angel has destroyed everything we stand for – physically removed the masters of our sign and is one step away from collapsing the penultimate phase of the plan.
LILAH
Penultimate?
VOICE
You didn’t think we’d make it that simple did you? Luckily for us, Angel has no Idea what’s coming. Now as for you Ms. Morgan
LILAH
Sir.
VOICE
You’ve served us well over the years – unlike a Mr. McDonald who wouldn’t shock to marry Angel anytime soon, you’ve maintained a distinct level of malevolence in your work
LILAH
Thank You.
VOICE
So much so that we feel your deserve to receive your end of the bargain. The condition was that you destroy Team Angel and in some faded sense you most certainly have – congratulations. So it is within my power and word that I give you the prize
(pause)
You shall once again be the owner of your mortality, your everything – You are free of your contract and so it all belongs to you, everything you signed over, your life, your soul.
LILAH
But…
VOICE
No, really. We insist.
Lilah steps forward cautiously as light floods from above her, she collapses to the floor in pain and discomfort – standing to hold her hand to her chest, feeling her heart beat.
She smiles.
VOICE
Of course, without your contract and the facts of life, we come to a twist in the road
LILAH
What twist?
VOICE
Well, by the natural order of things – whilst you may be stood there breathing, fate says you’re dead and since you’re fate is no longer our problem, not shall we pay for your animation – it looks as though natures will must be done.
(pause)
Goodbye.
Lilah looks up confused and in fear, she panics and turns to the elevator door, banging it for help but nothing, instead the floor bursts into flames and forms the shape of a mouth – swallowing a screaming Lilah, whole.
Darkness. Emptiness.
CUT TO
INT – Wiltons Mansion
CORDY
No Answer.
The air shimmers, but no one notices.
WILLOW
I want some lemonade. Who want’s lemonade?
The gang wearily rise to their feet and cross the room, opening a door into the kitchen. But they’re surprised to see they’ve stepped into an elevator.
CORDY
Wait, this building doesn’t have a --
The elevator plunges downward. The gang screams as one. AUGGHHH! The elevator comes to a sudden stop and the door opens onto a beautiful English garden scene.
SPIKE
I’d say we’re not in Kansas, but that would be corny.
HARMONY
Kansas? Corn? Spike that’s so –
SPIKE
Harmony? Bite me. No wait, don’t.
They look around.
ANGEL
Where are we?
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SEASON!
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