Interior: Tara's room
The four stare at one another waiting to see what will happen next.
Cordy: (nonchalantly yet sarcastically) Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
The others turn to look at her as she stares into space for a moment.
Angel: Cordy, what is it?
Cordy: (puts her hands on her hips) It's crappy timing, that's what it is.
Buffy: Did I miss something?
Cordy: That answer would require way too much time. (Angel sends her a warning look-she mumbles begrudgingly) Okay, okay. It's a guy downtown. I think he's about to get jumped in a major way. Definitely, non-human kind of thing.
Angel: Where is he? Who's attacking him?
Spike: This is how you find your gigs now? You wait for your girlfriend to lead you around by the...
Angel: Spike!
Cordy: (Continuing uninterrupted) Down on the strip, one of those seedy bars. I shouldn't be surprised I guess. We wouldn't know how to act if the bad guys ever stepped out in style.
Buffy: Are you seriously complaining about the chosen locale of evil?
Cordy: Excuse me for wishing for a break in the monotony Ms. Cemetery's Anonymous.
Spike: Watch it girlie. You're talking about my yard there.
Angel: Will all of you please stop with the unintelli-babble?
Cordy: Sorry. (Looks at him) Check out Hollywood and Vine. I don't think it will be hard to find from there. Why don't I just show you?
Angel: What? No! I can handle this alone.
Buffy: Not while I'm here, you won't.
Spike: Well I'm sure as hell not sticking around here with the sick and dying if I don't have to. I'll just come along.
Cordy: (Points at Spike and looks at Angel)If Spike is going then you can't expect me to stay behind!
Angel: Of course not. Perhaps we should call everyone else to come along for the ride as well?
Buffy: You know, I don't think the four of us doing this one little job together will kill anyone. Let's just get to it before one of us falls asleep again.
Angel: What about...
Buffy: (Turns to leave the room and calls out over her shoulder) It can wait an hour.
Angel wants to say something but Buffy and Spike leave as Cordy pulls him along behind them.
Cut to Waiting room
Tara and Willow stand when the others emerge.
Willow: Hi! (Smiles) So we all squared away here?
Angel: If by squared you mean, four sided, then sure. We're your guys. We have to go take care of Cordy's vision.
Tara: Was it about this mess?
Buffy: No, this is messless. (Pauses) At least in the context of this mess. (motions around the room) But not so much in the context of an evil mess that must be stopped.
Willow: And you're all going? The four of you...together?
Spike: (Smirks) Never thought you'd see the day did you Red?
Buffy: Willow, this won't take long. The doctor should have released Tara by the time we get back and we can head home. Did you find Oz?
Tara: Yeah, he went back to Angel's hotel to get some sleep.
Angel/Cordy: He did what!
Angel: (Trying to cover)I mean, why would he go there?
Willow: Just for sleep Angel. (Sends him a secret look) That's all. He'll be here soon.
Cordy: Good! (Backpedals) I mean, it will be better if you're all together when Buffy gets back.
Buffy: Alright, let's hurry up and do this.
Angel: Yes ma'am. Can I at least lead the way?
Spike: Oh, is Angelus feeling a bit insignificant?
Buffy/Cordy: It's Angel!
The group finally leaves the hospital.
Cut to Sunnydale
Xander, Anya and Dawn are in the Summers house
Dawn: So what now? Shall we watch a movie? Play a game? What would you suggest us banished ones do until they get back.
Xander: We weren't banished Dawn. We weren't serving any purpose in LA.
Anya: And exactly what purpose are we serving here?
Dawn: See? Even Anya knows this is crap!
Xander: (Exasperated)How'd you like some oxi-clean for that mouth little missy?
Dawn: (Rolls eyes) I'm going upstairs.
Xander and Anya watch her leave before Anya speaks.
Anya: So, I have to get back to the shop before people start thinking we're out of business. Would you like some sex before I go?
Xander bristles at her bluntness. Then leads her into the den.
Cut to Tara's room
Tara is getting dressed after having seen the doctor and receiving her release papers. Wes and Oz walk in as she emerges from the bathroom.
Wes: Well, it looks like someone got the clean bill!
Tara: (smiles) Yep. We're just packing up.
Oz: Where's everyone else?
Willow: Oh, Cordy had a vision so they went to take care of it.
Wes: What? Who went to take care of it?
Tara: The four of them. Spike, Buffy, Angel and Cordelia.
Oz: Now that's something I would pay to see.
Wes: Why didn't he call? Gunn and I should be with them.
Willow: Maybe he figured between another vamp, the slayer and a...Cordy. He had it covered.
Wes: I suppose that might be true.
Oz: No doubt Wes. I feel sorry for whoever comes across that posse.
Tara: They'll be back soon if you'd like to wait with us?
Wes: Um, yes I guess I can do that. Let me just go call the hotel and let the others know.
Wes exits and Tara turns to Oz.
Tara: We haven't really had a chance to talk about...things.
Oz: No need. (Shrugs) I figure this was never about me really, I just kind of got caught in the crossfire. What with the random dreaming and all.
Willow: It was pretty crazy how we all got so mixed up.
Tara: Some part of that might be true. But Oz, nothing happens without a reason, even if it's seemingly small in comparison.
Oz: I'm not sure I follow.
Tara: (looks from Oz to Willow) You two have a part of each other that no one can touch. (Willow begins to argue but Tara holds up her hand) No. It's okay. I don't mean I think you love him more than you did me. But whatever he left you with, or without, it's still unresolved. I hoped it would be there, and it was. We have to finish what was started.
Oz: And how does that happen? Cause I'm not really tired anymore.
Tara: No, the dreams are over. The spell is done. The rest has to be conscious and real.
Willow stares uncertainly at the two people she still loves in very different ways.
Cut to nightclub
A crowd gathers around the door waiting to be allowed in. The impromptu reunited group strides past the stragglers following Cordy as she looks for what she had seen only minutes before.
Cordy: (Stops at the opening to an alley) Yep, an alley. That should be no shock.
Buffy: (Peering over Cordy's shoulder) So, where's the victim? Isn't there supposed to be a good guy to save?
Spike: Might want to ask where the bad guy is as well. Can't see saving someone who doesn't have someone to save them from.
Angel: Thanks for the obvious Spike. Cordy knows what she's doing. If this is what she saw in her vision, then this is where he'll be. (Turns his head away as he whispers to Cordy) I'm right aren't I?
Cordy: (frustrated) Yes! This was it. Maybe it was farther down the alley. (Starts to walk into the darkness.
Angel: (grabbing her arm) Hello? Are you forgetting something? Maybe you should leave the rest to those of us who are non-human or born with super slaying powers.
Buffy watches Cordy struggling not to reply with the truth.
Buffy: Angel, I thought you've been training her. Aren't you confident with your talents?
Angel: Buffy, I think training a simple human is a bit different than what you and Giles did.
Cordy: So now I'm simple! (Raising her voice) I'll have you know Angel...(Sighs) Why can't you have a last name like everyone else?
Spike: You could always just call him Angel Angelus. That has a pretty nice ring to it, don't you think?
Buffy: (Menacingly)That was so the opposite of funny Spike.
Angel: So can we get back to the point? Cordy, you wait here. Buffy and I will...
Spike: Don't forget me there friend.
Angel: As if you'd ever let me.
Cordy: (Angel drops his hand to face Spike and she breaks into a run down the alley)Hey guy-in-trouble guy!
Angel: Cordelia!
The other three take off after her and catch up when she stops on the other side of a dumpster.
Buffy: What is it Cordelia?
Cordy: We're too late.
They all join her to see the body of a young man.
Cordy: How can we be too late? We came right here. I saw the thing attacking him.
Spike: Well, maybe your visions are of the present instead of the future. That's kind of whack.
Cordy: Shut up!
Angel: Let's think here guys. Cordy, you said you saw the guy being attacked, Did you see the thing attacking him? Or did you just see it from a distance?
Cordy: (Turns to face Angel) I saw him hold his arms up. Then I saw the shadowy guy leaping form a high place. He had to be jumping on him right?
Cordy looks up and notices that just behind Angel there's a fire escape. Just as she gets a flash of the same shadow jumping towards her, she sees movement on the escape.
Suddenly, a figure launches itself at her but is stopped by Angel standing in front of her. He's knocked forward and Angel collapses onto Cordelia knocking them both to the ground.
Buffy sees this and takes a long leap into the beasts midsection hitting it with her fist. He falls back as Spike steps sideways to trip him further. As the figure falls he grabs onto Spike's coat and pulls him down with him.
Angel is up now as Cordy realizes she has landed on the dead guy. She struggles to right herself while being grossed out. Buffy is in a face off with the beast as it steps on Spike in it's haste to recover. He growls and rushes Buffy pushing her backwards but not down. She spins out of his grasp and sees his face for the first time, It's a vampire but appears hideously scarred. She is surprised by a blow to the face and she stumbles to the ground. Angel launches himself over her in vamp mode as Spike stands behind it. Spike sees a pallet lying on the ground and signals to Angel his plan.
As Angel pushed the vamp against the wall he grips its throat harshly.
Angel: (Leaning close) So, you were just after some dinner right? Nothing too complicated I presume.
Vamp: Look at me man! What those bastards did to me is beyond complicated. They weren't out to kill me, they wanted to make me suffer! I can't be seen like this man! I'm supposed to be young and beautiful forever! What the hell kind of immortal can I be now? I wish someone would stake me and be done with it. I can't live the rest of my life knowing that this (Reaches up to feel the mess) is what I look like.
Spike: (Walking from the side) Well it's your luck night mate. We're with the make a wish foundation. (With that he plunges the pallet piece into the heart of the vamp as an eerie smile emerges on its face just before the dust)
Angel: Nice one Spike. I see you still have some of that poetic license I used to enjoy.
Spike: What can I say? I'm gifted.
Cordy: (Clears her throat) Are we done with the bonding? What was up with that guy? I've never seen a vamp so depressed, well present company excluded.
Angel/Spike: Ha-Ha.
Buffy: Angel, did you hear what he said? Do you think there really are people out to make vamps suffer but still live?
Angel: I don't know. I guess anything's possible. This is LA you know. But we have more important things to discuss. We took care of the evil emergency, now it's time to figure this out. No more interruptions.
Spike: I'll go along with that.
Cordy: Me too. Let's get it over with.
Buffy: So is this a democracy now? Majority rules over my life?
Angel: Only in the necessary issues Buffy. Only for tonight. Then I'll never ask you anything again.
Buffy: Why don't I like the sound of that?
Spike: Better yet, why do I love the sound of it?
Cordy: Would you give it a rest already?
Spike: You should be joining in if I've got you figured right love.
Cordy: I know you didn't just call me love.
Buffy and Angel still look at one another intently... Interior: Hyperion
Gunn watches Fred rocking Connor and smiles to himself.
Fred: (noticing him) What is it? What's so funny?
Gunn: Nothing. I think it's cool. You're cool.
Fred: (Smiling) I never thought I'd like being called that so much.
Gunn: Yeah well I...
Before he can continue, there's a muffled yell and a body is thrown the front door busting the locks.
Gunn jumps to his feet and pulls Fred and the baby behind him.
The thing doesn't move and Justine follows through the open door.
Justine: So, I guess the not being invited thing only applies to conscious vampires, huh?
Fred looks down at the figure huddled on the floor and sees the outline of a vamped face peeking through the cuts and blood. It moans weakly.
Gunn: So you got a reason that I shouldn't kick your ass right here and now?
Justine: (Laughing) I get it, you're playing the strong manly part for your girl here right? I can understand that. But if you really want to impress her, how about not hanging out with the spawn of Satan?
Fred: (Pulls Connor protectively closer) He is not!
Gunn: Fred, she's talking about Angel.
Fred: Oh.
Justine: Easy mistake. They both kind of fit the bill if you ask me. So why don't you give your boss a message for me?
Gunn: Angel's not our boss.
Justine: (Raises an eyebrow) Sure could've fooled me. Anyhow, maybe you can see what he thinks of his cousin over there. (Points at the injured vamp) I'm just getting started...and what we have planned for him is way more interesting. Consider it fair warning.
Gunn: Are you about done? I don't really like the vibe you're bringing.
Justine: Yeah right. Like my vibe is what's wrong with this place. (looks around the room) Man, I'll never get used to the stench of the undead. How do you stand it?
Gunn and Fred don't answer and watch as she finally leaves the lobby. The vamp begins to stir and Gunn rushes to find something to keep him down.
Lorne: Did I just hear something about a vibe? (Walks downstairs) Cause being woken up from a well-deserved slumber to feel the presence of major twisted karma is rather unsettling.
He watches Gunn grab a cross and run back to put a knee on the vamps back before he can get up. The cross is held inches from his face as he whimpers anew.
Lorne: (Facetiously) Oh look! We've got company.
Gunn and Fred look uncertainly at Lorne.
Cut to Downtown
Angel, Spike, Buffy and Cordelia walk determinedly away from the scene of carnage. Their grim faces bely confusion over what they must do next.
Spike: Now that's what I call a welcome diversion.
Cordy: You've got that right buddy.
Buffy: (Monotone) Nothing like a scarred, recently tortured vamp on a suicide mission to take all the fun out of slaying.
Angel: I think Spike still managed the fun.
Spike: Don't even try it. You know it felt good to work together again. It's been way too long. (pauses) But this will do for the hereafter, don't get me wrong.
Angel: Oh Spike, just when I thought there was hope for us.
Cordy: Alright boys. We get it. Much rage and anger just under the surface. But you did what had to be done back there, so just chalk it up to good over evil and let's move on.
Buffy: I second that. (Frowns) How many times is it now that I've agreed with you Cord?
Cord: Let's not go there. It's a record, one not meant to be broken.
Buffy: point taken.
Cordy's phone rings and she stops walking to answer it.
Cordy: Hello? (pause) Yeah, he's right here. We were just...(pause) What? When? (Angel turns to watch her noting the tone of her voice) Yeah, we'll just drop Buf...(Pause) Do you really think that's a good idea? Well I suppose time is the issue. Of course.
Angel: (Impatiently interrupting) Cordelia, what is it? What's happened?
Cordy: (scowling and signaling for Angel to shut up) Okay I got it. We'll meet you there. (She hangs up the phone)
Angel: What?
Cordy: Um, that was Wes. He got a call from Gunn. (glances at Buffy) Fred and Gunn had some company and want us to come check it out.
Angel: What kind of company? Is it...?
Cordy: No! I'm not sure who, but it definitely wasn't about you know.
Buffy: Are you two for real?
Angel/Cordy: What?
Spike: Bloody hell! Did you think you were really being that cryptic? I don't think stupidity is part of the Slayer package.
Buffy: I assume this company you had wasn't after your son. (She sees Angel is surprised by her nonchalant tone) What? Did you think I would have a nervous breakdown if I heard him mentioned in my presence? I was the one that asked you earlier remember?
Angel: Yeah but..,
Buffy: But nothing. I'm not going to stand in the way of you getting back to...him. I'll just head back to the hospital.
She starts to walk away.
Cordy: You won't find them there Buffy. Wes said he was at the hospital with Oz, Willow and Tara. They're all heading back to the hotel to meet up there.
Spike: Why? If Tara's all better and such, we can head out.
Angel: We never finished what we started. (Looks at Buffy)
Spike: Come on! I think your plate's kind of full here. I think the only thing that brought us all here was some coincidentally similar dreams. No big bad has shown up to explain it and if you ask me there isn't likely to be one. So if we have to go the hotel fine, but I say we hit the road as soon as we round up the others. Alright Buffy?
Buffy: You know it's not that simple Spike.
Cordy: How can you be so sure? Maybe Spike has a point.
Spike: Watch your tongue!
Angel: You're right Buffy. (Walks to stand in front of her and look down) I never wanted it to happen like this, but it has. We have to go on. Can you do that?
Buffy: (Searching his eyes then nodding) I can. You?
Angel: (Emphasizing first word) WE can.
Spike: I don't think...
Cordy: (Steps over to cover his mouth with her hand and whispers) Maybe not being so obvious is the key here.
Spike: Really? (Looks at her) And how's that been working for you love?
Angel: (Hasn't heard anything the other two have said) I'm glad you're here. Regardless of how it happened and what might happen, I'm glad you're here now Buffy. Please believe that.
Buffy: (tries to smile) I do. I believe you because I still believe in you. Nothing will ever change that. If we have to do this, then so be it. Whatever happens, I want you to remember this moment. (She reaches up to touch the side of his face and force him to lock eyes completely with her)
Angel: You told me once that you'd never forget.
Buffy seems puzzled as she doesn't remember what he's referring to.
Buffy: Angel...
Angel: (Interrupting softly so no one else can hear)It's not important now. Just know that I always knew you would do anything to keep that promise. But sometimes things are beyond our control. I swear to you Buffy, if I have any control over anything in this world, I hope it's that I can return that promise. We can tell everything that happened that night or any other, but the feelings and the memories, those are ours to keep for ourselves...forever.
Buffy seems unsure of how to respond as she ponders what Angel is trying to communicate beneath his words. But he doesn't give her a chance to ask as he turns to lead the way into the night and the very uncertain path they all will walk from that moment on.
Cut to hotel
Tara, Oz, Willow and Wes enter the lobby to find Gun still hovering over the vamp. Fred and Lorne are watching Connor play in the bassinet.
Lorne: Finally, the cavalry! We have got some massive wacky going on here friend. That chick Justine is one nutty freak! I'm telling you she is out to cause some kind of record-breaking pain for the big guy. And by the looks of this poor thing, I'd say it's not going to be quick.
Wes: (Walking to look at the festering wounds on the vamps face and body) My God, why would she do this? Why not just kill him? I thought she hated vampires.
Fred: I think she hates them so much she wants them to feel an equal amount of suffering.
Willow: But why Angel? What does he have to so with her?
Wes: I don't think she had anything against Angel in the beginning. But thanks to a vengeance-obsessed, time traveling, victim of Angelus, she has a renewed anger for all things Angel.
Oz: So you're saying Angelus screwed with this guy back in his hey-day and he found a way to travel through time just to make him pay? Man, this must have been some kind of pain he suffered.
Gunn: Try the finding your wife dead, your daughter made into a vamp and having to kill her kind of pain.
Tara: Oh God.
Angel: (From doorway) No Tara, I'm afraid God had no part of me back then. That's the problem.
Willow: You're back! (Looks at Buffy) Is everything okay?
Buffy: Yeah, so what's with the pile of undead in the middle of the room? Gunn?
Fred: It was a gift from Justine.
Angel: Justine?
Lorne: Fraid so my six-plus of champion.
Willow: Huh?
Suddenly Connor cries out and everyone in the room hears Buffy's intake of breath. All eyes turn to watch her reaction...
The four stare at one another waiting to see what will happen next.
Cordy: (nonchalantly yet sarcastically) Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
The others turn to look at her as she stares into space for a moment.
Angel: Cordy, what is it?
Cordy: (puts her hands on her hips) It's crappy timing, that's what it is.
Buffy: Did I miss something?
Cordy: That answer would require way too much time. (Angel sends her a warning look-she mumbles begrudgingly) Okay, okay. It's a guy downtown. I think he's about to get jumped in a major way. Definitely, non-human kind of thing.
Angel: Where is he? Who's attacking him?
Spike: This is how you find your gigs now? You wait for your girlfriend to lead you around by the...
Angel: Spike!
Cordy: (Continuing uninterrupted) Down on the strip, one of those seedy bars. I shouldn't be surprised I guess. We wouldn't know how to act if the bad guys ever stepped out in style.
Buffy: Are you seriously complaining about the chosen locale of evil?
Cordy: Excuse me for wishing for a break in the monotony Ms. Cemetery's Anonymous.
Spike: Watch it girlie. You're talking about my yard there.
Angel: Will all of you please stop with the unintelli-babble?
Cordy: Sorry. (Looks at him) Check out Hollywood and Vine. I don't think it will be hard to find from there. Why don't I just show you?
Angel: What? No! I can handle this alone.
Buffy: Not while I'm here, you won't.
Spike: Well I'm sure as hell not sticking around here with the sick and dying if I don't have to. I'll just come along.
Cordy: (Points at Spike and looks at Angel)If Spike is going then you can't expect me to stay behind!
Angel: Of course not. Perhaps we should call everyone else to come along for the ride as well?
Buffy: You know, I don't think the four of us doing this one little job together will kill anyone. Let's just get to it before one of us falls asleep again.
Angel: What about...
Buffy: (Turns to leave the room and calls out over her shoulder) It can wait an hour.
Angel wants to say something but Buffy and Spike leave as Cordy pulls him along behind them.
Cut to Waiting room
Tara and Willow stand when the others emerge.
Willow: Hi! (Smiles) So we all squared away here?
Angel: If by squared you mean, four sided, then sure. We're your guys. We have to go take care of Cordy's vision.
Tara: Was it about this mess?
Buffy: No, this is messless. (Pauses) At least in the context of this mess. (motions around the room) But not so much in the context of an evil mess that must be stopped.
Willow: And you're all going? The four of you...together?
Spike: (Smirks) Never thought you'd see the day did you Red?
Buffy: Willow, this won't take long. The doctor should have released Tara by the time we get back and we can head home. Did you find Oz?
Tara: Yeah, he went back to Angel's hotel to get some sleep.
Angel/Cordy: He did what!
Angel: (Trying to cover)I mean, why would he go there?
Willow: Just for sleep Angel. (Sends him a secret look) That's all. He'll be here soon.
Cordy: Good! (Backpedals) I mean, it will be better if you're all together when Buffy gets back.
Buffy: Alright, let's hurry up and do this.
Angel: Yes ma'am. Can I at least lead the way?
Spike: Oh, is Angelus feeling a bit insignificant?
Buffy/Cordy: It's Angel!
The group finally leaves the hospital.
Cut to Sunnydale
Xander, Anya and Dawn are in the Summers house
Dawn: So what now? Shall we watch a movie? Play a game? What would you suggest us banished ones do until they get back.
Xander: We weren't banished Dawn. We weren't serving any purpose in LA.
Anya: And exactly what purpose are we serving here?
Dawn: See? Even Anya knows this is crap!
Xander: (Exasperated)How'd you like some oxi-clean for that mouth little missy?
Dawn: (Rolls eyes) I'm going upstairs.
Xander and Anya watch her leave before Anya speaks.
Anya: So, I have to get back to the shop before people start thinking we're out of business. Would you like some sex before I go?
Xander bristles at her bluntness. Then leads her into the den.
Cut to Tara's room
Tara is getting dressed after having seen the doctor and receiving her release papers. Wes and Oz walk in as she emerges from the bathroom.
Wes: Well, it looks like someone got the clean bill!
Tara: (smiles) Yep. We're just packing up.
Oz: Where's everyone else?
Willow: Oh, Cordy had a vision so they went to take care of it.
Wes: What? Who went to take care of it?
Tara: The four of them. Spike, Buffy, Angel and Cordelia.
Oz: Now that's something I would pay to see.
Wes: Why didn't he call? Gunn and I should be with them.
Willow: Maybe he figured between another vamp, the slayer and a...Cordy. He had it covered.
Wes: I suppose that might be true.
Oz: No doubt Wes. I feel sorry for whoever comes across that posse.
Tara: They'll be back soon if you'd like to wait with us?
Wes: Um, yes I guess I can do that. Let me just go call the hotel and let the others know.
Wes exits and Tara turns to Oz.
Tara: We haven't really had a chance to talk about...things.
Oz: No need. (Shrugs) I figure this was never about me really, I just kind of got caught in the crossfire. What with the random dreaming and all.
Willow: It was pretty crazy how we all got so mixed up.
Tara: Some part of that might be true. But Oz, nothing happens without a reason, even if it's seemingly small in comparison.
Oz: I'm not sure I follow.
Tara: (looks from Oz to Willow) You two have a part of each other that no one can touch. (Willow begins to argue but Tara holds up her hand) No. It's okay. I don't mean I think you love him more than you did me. But whatever he left you with, or without, it's still unresolved. I hoped it would be there, and it was. We have to finish what was started.
Oz: And how does that happen? Cause I'm not really tired anymore.
Tara: No, the dreams are over. The spell is done. The rest has to be conscious and real.
Willow stares uncertainly at the two people she still loves in very different ways.
Cut to nightclub
A crowd gathers around the door waiting to be allowed in. The impromptu reunited group strides past the stragglers following Cordy as she looks for what she had seen only minutes before.
Cordy: (Stops at the opening to an alley) Yep, an alley. That should be no shock.
Buffy: (Peering over Cordy's shoulder) So, where's the victim? Isn't there supposed to be a good guy to save?
Spike: Might want to ask where the bad guy is as well. Can't see saving someone who doesn't have someone to save them from.
Angel: Thanks for the obvious Spike. Cordy knows what she's doing. If this is what she saw in her vision, then this is where he'll be. (Turns his head away as he whispers to Cordy) I'm right aren't I?
Cordy: (frustrated) Yes! This was it. Maybe it was farther down the alley. (Starts to walk into the darkness.
Angel: (grabbing her arm) Hello? Are you forgetting something? Maybe you should leave the rest to those of us who are non-human or born with super slaying powers.
Buffy watches Cordy struggling not to reply with the truth.
Buffy: Angel, I thought you've been training her. Aren't you confident with your talents?
Angel: Buffy, I think training a simple human is a bit different than what you and Giles did.
Cordy: So now I'm simple! (Raising her voice) I'll have you know Angel...(Sighs) Why can't you have a last name like everyone else?
Spike: You could always just call him Angel Angelus. That has a pretty nice ring to it, don't you think?
Buffy: (Menacingly)That was so the opposite of funny Spike.
Angel: So can we get back to the point? Cordy, you wait here. Buffy and I will...
Spike: Don't forget me there friend.
Angel: As if you'd ever let me.
Cordy: (Angel drops his hand to face Spike and she breaks into a run down the alley)Hey guy-in-trouble guy!
Angel: Cordelia!
The other three take off after her and catch up when she stops on the other side of a dumpster.
Buffy: What is it Cordelia?
Cordy: We're too late.
They all join her to see the body of a young man.
Cordy: How can we be too late? We came right here. I saw the thing attacking him.
Spike: Well, maybe your visions are of the present instead of the future. That's kind of whack.
Cordy: Shut up!
Angel: Let's think here guys. Cordy, you said you saw the guy being attacked, Did you see the thing attacking him? Or did you just see it from a distance?
Cordy: (Turns to face Angel) I saw him hold his arms up. Then I saw the shadowy guy leaping form a high place. He had to be jumping on him right?
Cordy looks up and notices that just behind Angel there's a fire escape. Just as she gets a flash of the same shadow jumping towards her, she sees movement on the escape.
Suddenly, a figure launches itself at her but is stopped by Angel standing in front of her. He's knocked forward and Angel collapses onto Cordelia knocking them both to the ground.
Buffy sees this and takes a long leap into the beasts midsection hitting it with her fist. He falls back as Spike steps sideways to trip him further. As the figure falls he grabs onto Spike's coat and pulls him down with him.
Angel is up now as Cordy realizes she has landed on the dead guy. She struggles to right herself while being grossed out. Buffy is in a face off with the beast as it steps on Spike in it's haste to recover. He growls and rushes Buffy pushing her backwards but not down. She spins out of his grasp and sees his face for the first time, It's a vampire but appears hideously scarred. She is surprised by a blow to the face and she stumbles to the ground. Angel launches himself over her in vamp mode as Spike stands behind it. Spike sees a pallet lying on the ground and signals to Angel his plan.
As Angel pushed the vamp against the wall he grips its throat harshly.
Angel: (Leaning close) So, you were just after some dinner right? Nothing too complicated I presume.
Vamp: Look at me man! What those bastards did to me is beyond complicated. They weren't out to kill me, they wanted to make me suffer! I can't be seen like this man! I'm supposed to be young and beautiful forever! What the hell kind of immortal can I be now? I wish someone would stake me and be done with it. I can't live the rest of my life knowing that this (Reaches up to feel the mess) is what I look like.
Spike: (Walking from the side) Well it's your luck night mate. We're with the make a wish foundation. (With that he plunges the pallet piece into the heart of the vamp as an eerie smile emerges on its face just before the dust)
Angel: Nice one Spike. I see you still have some of that poetic license I used to enjoy.
Spike: What can I say? I'm gifted.
Cordy: (Clears her throat) Are we done with the bonding? What was up with that guy? I've never seen a vamp so depressed, well present company excluded.
Angel/Spike: Ha-Ha.
Buffy: Angel, did you hear what he said? Do you think there really are people out to make vamps suffer but still live?
Angel: I don't know. I guess anything's possible. This is LA you know. But we have more important things to discuss. We took care of the evil emergency, now it's time to figure this out. No more interruptions.
Spike: I'll go along with that.
Cordy: Me too. Let's get it over with.
Buffy: So is this a democracy now? Majority rules over my life?
Angel: Only in the necessary issues Buffy. Only for tonight. Then I'll never ask you anything again.
Buffy: Why don't I like the sound of that?
Spike: Better yet, why do I love the sound of it?
Cordy: Would you give it a rest already?
Spike: You should be joining in if I've got you figured right love.
Cordy: I know you didn't just call me love.
Buffy and Angel still look at one another intently... Interior: Hyperion
Gunn watches Fred rocking Connor and smiles to himself.
Fred: (noticing him) What is it? What's so funny?
Gunn: Nothing. I think it's cool. You're cool.
Fred: (Smiling) I never thought I'd like being called that so much.
Gunn: Yeah well I...
Before he can continue, there's a muffled yell and a body is thrown the front door busting the locks.
Gunn jumps to his feet and pulls Fred and the baby behind him.
The thing doesn't move and Justine follows through the open door.
Justine: So, I guess the not being invited thing only applies to conscious vampires, huh?
Fred looks down at the figure huddled on the floor and sees the outline of a vamped face peeking through the cuts and blood. It moans weakly.
Gunn: So you got a reason that I shouldn't kick your ass right here and now?
Justine: (Laughing) I get it, you're playing the strong manly part for your girl here right? I can understand that. But if you really want to impress her, how about not hanging out with the spawn of Satan?
Fred: (Pulls Connor protectively closer) He is not!
Gunn: Fred, she's talking about Angel.
Fred: Oh.
Justine: Easy mistake. They both kind of fit the bill if you ask me. So why don't you give your boss a message for me?
Gunn: Angel's not our boss.
Justine: (Raises an eyebrow) Sure could've fooled me. Anyhow, maybe you can see what he thinks of his cousin over there. (Points at the injured vamp) I'm just getting started...and what we have planned for him is way more interesting. Consider it fair warning.
Gunn: Are you about done? I don't really like the vibe you're bringing.
Justine: Yeah right. Like my vibe is what's wrong with this place. (looks around the room) Man, I'll never get used to the stench of the undead. How do you stand it?
Gunn and Fred don't answer and watch as she finally leaves the lobby. The vamp begins to stir and Gunn rushes to find something to keep him down.
Lorne: Did I just hear something about a vibe? (Walks downstairs) Cause being woken up from a well-deserved slumber to feel the presence of major twisted karma is rather unsettling.
He watches Gunn grab a cross and run back to put a knee on the vamps back before he can get up. The cross is held inches from his face as he whimpers anew.
Lorne: (Facetiously) Oh look! We've got company.
Gunn and Fred look uncertainly at Lorne.
Cut to Downtown
Angel, Spike, Buffy and Cordelia walk determinedly away from the scene of carnage. Their grim faces bely confusion over what they must do next.
Spike: Now that's what I call a welcome diversion.
Cordy: You've got that right buddy.
Buffy: (Monotone) Nothing like a scarred, recently tortured vamp on a suicide mission to take all the fun out of slaying.
Angel: I think Spike still managed the fun.
Spike: Don't even try it. You know it felt good to work together again. It's been way too long. (pauses) But this will do for the hereafter, don't get me wrong.
Angel: Oh Spike, just when I thought there was hope for us.
Cordy: Alright boys. We get it. Much rage and anger just under the surface. But you did what had to be done back there, so just chalk it up to good over evil and let's move on.
Buffy: I second that. (Frowns) How many times is it now that I've agreed with you Cord?
Cord: Let's not go there. It's a record, one not meant to be broken.
Buffy: point taken.
Cordy's phone rings and she stops walking to answer it.
Cordy: Hello? (pause) Yeah, he's right here. We were just...(pause) What? When? (Angel turns to watch her noting the tone of her voice) Yeah, we'll just drop Buf...(Pause) Do you really think that's a good idea? Well I suppose time is the issue. Of course.
Angel: (Impatiently interrupting) Cordelia, what is it? What's happened?
Cordy: (scowling and signaling for Angel to shut up) Okay I got it. We'll meet you there. (She hangs up the phone)
Angel: What?
Cordy: Um, that was Wes. He got a call from Gunn. (glances at Buffy) Fred and Gunn had some company and want us to come check it out.
Angel: What kind of company? Is it...?
Cordy: No! I'm not sure who, but it definitely wasn't about you know.
Buffy: Are you two for real?
Angel/Cordy: What?
Spike: Bloody hell! Did you think you were really being that cryptic? I don't think stupidity is part of the Slayer package.
Buffy: I assume this company you had wasn't after your son. (She sees Angel is surprised by her nonchalant tone) What? Did you think I would have a nervous breakdown if I heard him mentioned in my presence? I was the one that asked you earlier remember?
Angel: Yeah but..,
Buffy: But nothing. I'm not going to stand in the way of you getting back to...him. I'll just head back to the hospital.
She starts to walk away.
Cordy: You won't find them there Buffy. Wes said he was at the hospital with Oz, Willow and Tara. They're all heading back to the hotel to meet up there.
Spike: Why? If Tara's all better and such, we can head out.
Angel: We never finished what we started. (Looks at Buffy)
Spike: Come on! I think your plate's kind of full here. I think the only thing that brought us all here was some coincidentally similar dreams. No big bad has shown up to explain it and if you ask me there isn't likely to be one. So if we have to go the hotel fine, but I say we hit the road as soon as we round up the others. Alright Buffy?
Buffy: You know it's not that simple Spike.
Cordy: How can you be so sure? Maybe Spike has a point.
Spike: Watch your tongue!
Angel: You're right Buffy. (Walks to stand in front of her and look down) I never wanted it to happen like this, but it has. We have to go on. Can you do that?
Buffy: (Searching his eyes then nodding) I can. You?
Angel: (Emphasizing first word) WE can.
Spike: I don't think...
Cordy: (Steps over to cover his mouth with her hand and whispers) Maybe not being so obvious is the key here.
Spike: Really? (Looks at her) And how's that been working for you love?
Angel: (Hasn't heard anything the other two have said) I'm glad you're here. Regardless of how it happened and what might happen, I'm glad you're here now Buffy. Please believe that.
Buffy: (tries to smile) I do. I believe you because I still believe in you. Nothing will ever change that. If we have to do this, then so be it. Whatever happens, I want you to remember this moment. (She reaches up to touch the side of his face and force him to lock eyes completely with her)
Angel: You told me once that you'd never forget.
Buffy seems puzzled as she doesn't remember what he's referring to.
Buffy: Angel...
Angel: (Interrupting softly so no one else can hear)It's not important now. Just know that I always knew you would do anything to keep that promise. But sometimes things are beyond our control. I swear to you Buffy, if I have any control over anything in this world, I hope it's that I can return that promise. We can tell everything that happened that night or any other, but the feelings and the memories, those are ours to keep for ourselves...forever.
Buffy seems unsure of how to respond as she ponders what Angel is trying to communicate beneath his words. But he doesn't give her a chance to ask as he turns to lead the way into the night and the very uncertain path they all will walk from that moment on.
Cut to hotel
Tara, Oz, Willow and Wes enter the lobby to find Gun still hovering over the vamp. Fred and Lorne are watching Connor play in the bassinet.
Lorne: Finally, the cavalry! We have got some massive wacky going on here friend. That chick Justine is one nutty freak! I'm telling you she is out to cause some kind of record-breaking pain for the big guy. And by the looks of this poor thing, I'd say it's not going to be quick.
Wes: (Walking to look at the festering wounds on the vamps face and body) My God, why would she do this? Why not just kill him? I thought she hated vampires.
Fred: I think she hates them so much she wants them to feel an equal amount of suffering.
Willow: But why Angel? What does he have to so with her?
Wes: I don't think she had anything against Angel in the beginning. But thanks to a vengeance-obsessed, time traveling, victim of Angelus, she has a renewed anger for all things Angel.
Oz: So you're saying Angelus screwed with this guy back in his hey-day and he found a way to travel through time just to make him pay? Man, this must have been some kind of pain he suffered.
Gunn: Try the finding your wife dead, your daughter made into a vamp and having to kill her kind of pain.
Tara: Oh God.
Angel: (From doorway) No Tara, I'm afraid God had no part of me back then. That's the problem.
Willow: You're back! (Looks at Buffy) Is everything okay?
Buffy: Yeah, so what's with the pile of undead in the middle of the room? Gunn?
Fred: It was a gift from Justine.
Angel: Justine?
Lorne: Fraid so my six-plus of champion.
Willow: Huh?
Suddenly Connor cries out and everyone in the room hears Buffy's intake of breath. All eyes turn to watch her reaction...