Cordy: I'm sorry if my attitude isn't to your liking.

In the last few weeks, I've been reunited with who I thought was my soul mate, left town on vacation only to have a vision of my best friend's world collapsing around him. I get back here to find out that once again Buffy is involved in everything and everyone automatically bows to your infinite wisdom and power.

Including Groo echo is now dead out of some twisted sense of duty to a person he never met. He didn't think twice about leaving me to save you. Just like Angel wouldn't either.

Buffy: You think Angel would abandon you for me?

Cordy: Wouldn't he?

They pause to let her question sink in.

Buffy: It doesn't matter what either of us thinks or believes. I need your help.

Cordy: Please tell me you're kidding.

Buffy: Cordelia, have I ever kidded with you?

Cordy: Good point. So what's the big? And how can lowly old me be of any help to the Slayer?

Buffy: You can help me bring forth Angelus.

Cordy's jaw drops as soon as the words escape and her eyes narrow at the thought of what Buffy has up her sleeve.

part 21

Interior: Connor's room Angel rushes in to find Fred frantically looking around the room.

Angel: Fred? Where's Connor?

Fred: (jumps at the sound of his voice) Angel! Hi!

He's um...well Connor...

Angel: Fred, don't. Where is Connor? And everyone else?

Lorne: (entering from hall) Hey there big guy! We have a slight problem. Nothing to be too concerned about.

Angel: Have you learned nothing in your time here?

Lorne: Point taken. But really, it seems your boy is playing a game with his Auntie Fred and Uncle Lorne.

(looks around and calls out playfully) Aren't you you little rascal? (smiles and shakes his head looking back at Angel) Kids.

Angel: What are you talking about? What game is Connor playing?

Fred: (blurts) Hide and Seek! He wanted to play hide and seek but we didn't know he was starting so soon.

He kind of...took off.

Angel: Took off...(eyes get big as he realizes what they're saying and yells louder than intended) CONNOR IS MISSING!

The two begin to cower in fear at the tone and volume of Angel's voice.

Cut to Lobby Gunn and Wes hear the accusation and look at each other before heading upstairs.

Xander: Did I hear what I thought I heard?

Gunn: Yep.

Xander: He can't be missing. The kid just got back.

Geez, you people have him for five minutes and lose him. Buffy is not going to be happy.

Spike: Wait till the Slayer hears that she traveled through several dimensions and times only to have Soulboy's squad turn him loose again.

Gunn: Do you know how to do anything other than whip out smart ass comments?

Wes: No. Spike's only weapon now is his witty repartee.

Spike: I'll show you weapon Chap. (steps forward menacingly) Xander: Spike, when are you going to learn? The stalking isn't too scary to those of us who know your handicap.

Gunn: Why don't you two just come up and help us?

Spike: Help Angel? I think I've had my fill for one lifetime.

Xander: (rolls his eyes) Atta boy Spike. Give Buffy one more reason to see you as the selfish demon you are. Wait up guys. I'll help find him. He can't have gone far.

The three climb the stairs and disappear as Spike looks at the still closed office door.

Spike: Maybe I should tell her. (thinks for a second and then smirks) Naah.

Cut to Office Cordy and Buffy are oblivious to what's happening outside this room. No one has spoken for almost a full minute.

Cordy: (finally speaks very slowly) You have obviously lost your mind.

Buffy: I may have. But it doesn't change what needs to be done.

Cordy: And you think Angelus needs to be brought forth?

Buffy nods.

Cordy: Okay, setting aside the obvious ramifications of what you're suggesting, how could I ever help you?

Buffy raises an eyebrow and Cordy almost cries out before she covers her mouth.

Cordy: (through her fingers) You want me to help you do the nasty with Angel! You really are insane!

Buffy: (rolls her eyes and speaks in an exasperated tone) You got me Cordelia! I did all this, came all this way, through all this crap just to get off! Yep, you've got my number.

When Cordy doesn't respond but just drops her hand to stare at Buffy she continues.

Buffy: Cordelia, I'm not having sex with Angel.

She sees the obvious relief on Cordy's face and makes mental note.

Cordy: Well...that's good. I mean, thinking of something like that at a time like this, that's just eeww.

Buffy: Yes, I could never do such an eeww thing. But we are going to bring Angelus Cordelia. It's the only way to save Angel, Connor and the rest of you.

Cordy: What are you saying? You think having Angelus here would protect us? Do you even remember his last visit with us? Not too much for the protecting if I recall.

Buffy: I don't have time to explain everything now.

But Wes and Fred know why. And they know I'm the only one who knows how to prevent disaster.

Cordy: They know you plan on making Angel lose his soul? And they think it's okay?

Buffy: Not exactly. But...

Cordy: No! You can't do this! Not only do I think it's impossible for you to even acheive it, you should be exiled for even suggesting it!

Buffy: (steps forward to face her down) Listen to me Cordelia Chase. We have no time to argue. I will do this with or without you. But seeing you earlier, it gave me an idea. Now we can do it the hard way without any guarantees or we can do it my way and have a fighting chance.

Cordy: And what about the guarantee?

Buffy: With Angelus, there's no guarantee. But believe me when I say, the alternative is much worse.

Cordy: Worse than Angelus? Not seeing how that's possible.

There a knock on the door just before Spike opens it and leans inside.

Spike: Just thought you'd like to know that there's a full on search upstairs for a missing boy.

Buffy: Connor?

Spike nods.

Cordy: Oh God.

Buffy: Okay, Cordy come with me. I'll finish getting you up to speed on the way.

They run out and up the stairs. Spike watches them and doesn't move.

Cut to Connor's room Gunn, Wesley and Xander have joined the others.

Xander: Where's Will and Dawn?

Fred: They went to look on the other floors.

Xander: How big is this place?

Lorne: Big enough to keep us busy for a very long time.

Angel: Well we're finding him. Do you hear me? Fred, you, Gunn and Wes take the east side first five floors. Did Willow say where they were going?

Lorne: I think they took off upstairs. I'll go and find them.

Angel: Good. When you do, you take the west first five.

Lorne: Aye Aye.

He leaves the room after the first group exits.

Buffy and Cordy pass them in the hall and find Angel and Xander staring awkwardly at one another.

Buffy: Angel, what happened?

Angel: I have no idea. Connor is playing hide and seek according to Fred and Lorne. Everyone else is already looking for him.

Buffy: Don't worry Angel. This might be my fault. I made our adventure earlier into a game. He's probably just waiting for someone to find him.

Xander: I can go. Why don't Cordy and I go together, she knows her way around better than me?

Buffy: No! (Xander looks at her puzzled) I think you and I should go Xander. Cordy and Angel can do their own search. It will be easier if Connor doesn't see Angel and I together anymore than necessary.

Angel is completely at a loss as to Buffy's words. He doesn't understand why she won't be alone with him and wonders if it has something to do with her talk with Cordy. He gets more confused when he notices the women exchange a look and an almost imperceptible nod.

Cordy: Yeah. Connor needs to get used to you being gone Buffy. He's too attached to you after the trip.

Xander: Huh? What are you talking about? And how are Buffy and I supposed to find Connor in this place?

Angel: Cordy and I will take the upper floors. Buffy, you and Xander can cover the familiar territory. Check the Lobby, offices and basement. Connor could get easily lost here.

Buffy: Right. Come on Xander, we'll grab Spike and make him help.

Buffy pauses to look deep into Angel's eyes. It seems she's searching for something or at least trying to communicate something that she won't allow herself to say. Angel frowns and starts to open his mouth to ask why she's behaving so strangely.

She sees it coming and touches his arm.

Buffy: We'll find him and everything will be okay.

You'll see.

Angel reaches to cover her hand with his and squeeze before she pulls away and pushes Xander out the door.

Cordy takes a deep breath as Angel leads the way on their search.

Cut to Lobby Spike stands when he sees Xander and Buffy heading his way.

Xander: Good to see you're not tiring yourself with the effort Spike.

Spike: I told you I've done my part in Angel's name.

My work is done. I'm just waiting for the rest of you to realize the same.

Buffy: I'm afraid its not that simple. Things are about to get real interesting Spike and I need you to play a part.

Spike: Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this plan?

Xander: There's a plan? When did we get a plan? And why do I not know the plan before Spike?

Buffy: Listen, you two start looking. I have to take care of something and then I'll fill you both in. But Connor has to be found first. I can't do anything until I know he's safe. Go!

She waits for them to head down to the basement and runs back upstairs to find Willow.

Cut to Angel and Cordy walking down a hallway opening each door one by one to look inside for Connor.

Angel: I can't believe we're wasting time with a silly game.

Cordy: Well, Connor's not a baby anymore Angel. I'm still not clear how, but this is what kids do. They play stupid games and constantly search for new ways to get attention. He's just being a normal boy.

Angel: And here I thought I would always welcome those words. But I didn't know it meant he would scare the hell out of me on a daily basis by pulling a disappearing act.

Cordy: (smiling)You're so cute.

Angel stops and looks at Cordy.

Angel: What did you say?

Cordy: What? (faces him and puts her hands on her hips) Oh like you didn't know.

Angel: (seems unsure of how to respond) Cordelia I...

Cordy: Why are you always so serious? (playfully punches him in the arm) Come on Broody guy! Look around you.

Angel: What?

Cordy: Angel, just hours ago you thought your world had ended. Your son was gone, you had been betrayed by your best friend, I was off with Groo and you thought your only shot was with Buffy Summers! Now look at us.

Connor's home, with us, Wes is working to redeem himself, Buffy and her friends will be leaving soon and things will finally be back to normal.

Angel: But Groo...

Cordy: (falters slightly) Yeah Groo is gone. And I'll miss him believe me. We had some good times. (shrugs and turns to look in another door) But it wasn't the same as being here...with you.

Angel: (growing more uncomfortable) I don't think you're thinking clearly Cordy. You're still grieving.

Cordy: (stops and turns to step to mere inches away from his face) It's okay to be happy Angel. You have everything you've ever wanted within your grasp. Well, almost everything.

Angel watches in disbelief as she waits for her meaning to sink in.

Cut to Hall Buffy walks up behind Willow and Dawn calling out Connor's name while looking in the different rooms.

Lorne is with them now.

Buffy: Willow!

Willow: (Startles) Geez! Are you trying to kill me?

Buffy: Sorry. I need to talk to you.

Dawn: We're kind of busy here Buffy. Looking for Angel's son you know?

Buffy: Yeah, I know. You and Lorne go ahead and we'll catch up.

Dawn: You want me to go with him? (points to Lorne) By myself?

Lorne: What is it going to take to make you get used to me?

Dawn: I don't know. Maybe less horns and green?

Lorne: You have your big sis' sense of humor I see.

Well, your barbs don't even come close to what I've already heard, so get over yourself.

Dawn: I didn't mean anything bad.

Lorne: Of course not. (pulls her by the arm) Lets go, you can make it up to me later.

Willow: (smiling as they go) There's just something I like about that guy.

Buffy: (impatiently) Yeah he's a keeper. Now I need your help.

Willow: You said that once before and I never heard anything else. Are you ready to explain now?

Buffy: I sure am. I just hope you're ready to listen.

Buffy begins quickly telling Willow what must be done.

After several moments of arguing, Willow reluctantly agrees just as someone hollers from downstairs.

Cut to Lobby Spike: (standing at the bottom of the stairs looking up) WE FOUND THE BOY!

Xander: (Sees Spike is about to repeat himself) I think they heard you Spike.

Spike: (shuts his mouth and turns to see Xander on all fours peeking out from under the counter) I bet you're tired of hearing that noise huh? (Connor nods) Join the club. I've had to listen to it for three years now.

Spike: Ha-Ha. You're such a funny man.

Xander: (ignores him) So you're quite the hider aren't you?

Connor smiles and nods again.

Spike: He's quite the pain in the...

Wes: (walking up behind him) Spike.

Spike: (turns to see Wesley, Gunn, and Fred coming in the lobby) The boy had you all searching this pathetic excuse for a building like ninnies. I'd say that doesn't exactly make him Johnny Goodtime.

Gunn: I never thought I'd meet a vamp stranger than Angel.

Spike: You'd do well to forget meeting me, strange or not.

Gunn: Not gonna be a problem.

Wes: Connor?

Xander: (leans out) He's back here Wesley. Still not out of hide mode I'm afraid.

Fred rushes to take over and Xander gets up.

Xander: So where's everybody else?

The group looks at one another and back up the stairs to see them still empty.

Cut to Angel and Cordy Cordy: See? Life is good. Connor's safe and sound, just like before. No worse for wear.

Angel: I...I'll just go check on him.

Cordy: (grabs his arm as he tries to walk away) Wait a minute! I'm not letting you get away that easy.

Angel: (flabbergasted) What? Cordelia...

Cordy: (brings finger to lips) Sshh. Close your eyes.

I have one more surprise for you.

Angel doesn't close them right away and Cordelia takes the hand from her mouth to brush over his eyes drawing them closed.

Cut to Willow and Buffy Willow: Are you sure?

Buffy: Stop stalling. This is the only way. What about you? Are you sure you can pull it off?

Willow: How's 80 percent sure? Is that gonna work for you?

Buffy: I guess it will have to. Let's do it.

Willow nods quickly and closes her eyes.

Buffy listens and watches closely looking around to make sure no one will see.

Cut to Angel and Cordy Angel: (with her fingers against his lips and his eyes still closed) I don't...think...

Cordy: (looks around briefly and steps on her tiptoes) Didn't I say ssshhh? (She leans closer until her hand moves just as her lips find his) Cut to Lobby The group is still waiting for the others when a wave of energy sweeps down the stairs and knocks them all backwards.

(VO): It has begun.