part 18

Exterior LA Angel is watching Cordy being consoled by Xander and seems perplexed as to how he should feel.

Buffy sees Angel's face and gets the feeling that something is going on between he and Cordy that she really doesn't want to know about.

Spike is very uncomfortable with the change in atmosphere from one of battle and strength to one of anguish and weakness. He steps away from the scene and fades into the shadows.

Wes is emotional but doesn't say anything. He quietly bends to open the bag that he and Fred has brought with them and begins pulling something out.

Lorne is almost as upset as Cordelia having sensed what was happening and now seeing and feeling her pain in her cries. He trembles slightly trying to remain stoic.

Dawn and Willow are unsure of what to say as well, but Dawn begins to walk to where Buffy is standing watching Angel and Connor.

Just when she's about to reach her, Dawn sees Connor break away from Angel and rush to throw himself around Buffy's waist. She puts her arms around him without hesitation and bends to pick him up.

Buffy: It's okay now. I'm here. You're safe.

Dawn: (walking up) Buffy?

Buffy: (startles) Dawn! I'm so glad you're okay!

Dawn: I was just thinking the same thing. What's going on Buffy?

Buffy doesn't answer right away as Connor waits for her to tell him what's next.

Gunn walks over to Fred and puts his arm around her.

She nestles her face in his shoulder wanting to block out the sight of her friend in so much pain.

Angel begins to walk slowly to join the others still watching intently.

Xander: (stroking Cordy's hair) Sshh. I'm so sorry.

It's going to be okay. I promise. If there's a way to fix this then Buffy will...

Cordy snaps her head up revealing her tearstained face to all. She pushes away from Xander harshly and stands up staggering weakly backwards.

Angel who has reached them rushes to brace her before she falls. She feels his arms around her waist and jumps away from him as well.

Cordy: Don't touch me! Don't either of you touch me!

(beginning to yell louder and louder) You don't care about him! You never cared about him. None of you did!

He loved me and now he's gone! And you're going to try and tell me that (points at Buffy) SHE can bring him back! SHE is the reason he's gone in the first place!

Angel: Cordelia...

Cordy: No! Don't say it! Don't you dare say anything to defend her! Groo is dead Angel! He's dead because he had some distorted sense of duty that his dumb master put in his head and now he's dead!

Buffy: Did you say Master?

Cordy turns to send Buffy her most hateful look.

Angel: Buffy I really don't think this is the time.

Cordy: Yeah Buffy. Maybe you should just shut your mouth and go home. You brought Connor back, you're done. Leave.

Xander: Come on Cord. I don't think that it's Buffy's f...

Cordy: Did anyone ask you to think?

Willow: Cordelia we can't leave like this.

Cordy: Why not? Is there someone else you'd like to get killed?

Lorne: Alrighty then! I'm gonna have to intercede here. Cordy, sweetie, I know how you're feeling...

Cordy: No you don't! None of you do!

Lorne: (takes her by the shoulders) Actually I think you know I can. Although right now I'm wishing I didn't because it's not a good place we're in is it honey?

Cordy realizes that Lorne has been reading her and the tears begin anew. She allows him to take her on his arms and they console one another.

Buffy: (steps over to whisper in Angel's ear) I know its not a good time, but did Cordy say that Groo had a master?

Angel nods finally breaking his stare at Cordy to look at Buffy. He sees a cut on her forehead and reaches up to touch it. She sucks in a quick breath at the contact not sure if its from the pain or the feel of his skin on hers.

Angel: You're hurt. I'm so sorry. I wanted to help.

Buffy: No! You have to listen to me Angel. No matter what, your priority has to be your son. Nothing else matters. If he doesn't have you near him, something horrible will happen. Now please, tell me about Groo.

Angel: (looks from her to Connor still clutching her tightly) He said he was told a legend by his master during his training. A legend about the Slayer.

Buffy: Slayer?

Angel: Yeah, that's how I knew you would be involved in all this. I just wasn't sure how.

Buffy: Oh God.

Angel: What? What is it?

Buffy: (looks at Connor) I'll be right back sweetie.

Stay with your...Angel.

She leaves Angel staring after her as she runs to Wes and Fred.

Buffy: I think there's something we're missing guys.

Fred: What?

Gunn: You okay with that cut? Looks pretty deep.

Buffy: Once you've woken up in your own grave, everything else is pretty insignificant. (looks back at Wes) Did you hear the legend that Groo spoke of?

Wes nods.

Buffy: What was it in a nutshell?

Fred: something about a Slayer coming to Pylea to save their world from demons.

Gunn: Yeah, the chick came to battle the head honcho and disappeared with him just before she killed him.

Groo's master told him that one day he would fight side by side with a Slayer. Guess he knew what he was talking about. But I'm not clear on the how.

Buffy: Well if you think it's not clear now, wait until you find out who the Slayer was.

Fred: Huh?

Buffy: I'm the Slayer.

Gunn: Um, not to lessen the drama you're trying to create here, but we kind of already knew that. What with the battle and Groo's sacrifice just like he said and all.

Buffy: No, you don't get it. I was the Slayer in the Legend.

Fred: What?

Buffy: I was in Pylea, I battled the demons that were keeping the natives prisoner. I fought to the death with the ultimate evil. And just before I killed him, we were taken out of there by the PTB.

Gunn: How is that possible? Groo said the legend started long before his time. How could it have been you?

Buffy: (looking at Wes) Sajhan.

Wes: He took you back.

Buffy nods.

Fred: But if you were there, then does that mean you knew Groo's master?

Buffy: I think so.

Gunn: Wait up. Slow down for the less informed of us.

If Sajhan took Buffy to find Connor, why would he have gone back that far in time and gotten Groo involved?

It doesn't make sense.

Wes: Actually, I think it might.

Buffy: Wes...

Wes: You knew Groo's master back then. You knew him because you fought with him.

Gunn: Groo did say that his master said he had seen the Slayer once.

Buffy: He didn't just see me, and I didn't just fight with him. I fought against him.

Fred: You mean?

Buffy: The evil that I faced in Pylea that day, it was him.

Wes: And when they took you both away from that time, they put you back in Groo's time. They sent this evil to train Groo?

Buffy: He wasn't evil anymore. He had been redeemed.

His path was changed. But he had one more thing to do before They sent him back.

Fred: Sent him back where?

Buffy turns to see Angel and Connor kneeling down speaking quietly. She smiles at the sight of them bonding again. She looks back at Wes finally.

Wes: He had to tell Groo what would be needed one day.

This day. He had to protect the Slayer and himself.

Gunn: I'm lost. The master was evil and Buffy kicked his ass. Then They redeemed him and sent him to train Groo so that one day he could sacrifice himself to save the Slayer. Which he has done. But why? Why all this?

Buffy: Because if They didn't ensure my survival, Their path might have been altered yet again and without hope for another chance.

Fred: Because something is still coming. Something is going to happen here, in this time, to test whatever good you did in the past. Something to erase what Sajhan did to save the future.

Buffy: I think so. I think all this has been leading up to the exact moment when it went horribly wrong the first time. I think They showed me what happened because I would have to recognize the signs.

Gunn: And what signs are those?

Wes: Buffy, are you saying that the Master is here?

Fred/Gunn: What?

Buffy looks over the scene. Cordy and Lorne stand speaking in hushed tones. Cordy meets her gaze and shows her distrust and anger. Dawn and Willow watch from a few feet away still not sure of what will come next. Xander stands to the side watching Cordy with a strange look on his face.

Finally she looks at Angel. He senses her and looks up. Their eyes meet and he seems to be trying to read her mind. Connor sees his attention has wavered and looks up at Buffy as well.

Buffy: They've always knew he would be. The only question is which form will he take?

Wes finally understands and looks back at Angel and Connor. Under the weight of so many eyes, Connor begins to squirm against his father's arms...