Chapter 3
Fade in Interior
Angel's office
Illyria and Wesley are standing across from Angel with Xander standing a bit to the side.
Wesley: I'm afraid you have no choice. She's not to leave my sight.
Angel: Well I don't like her hearing details of cataclysmic problems. Call me paranoid.
Xander: So this is Fred, except Fred is dead and this is the thing that killed her, now it's hitching a ride in her body? And she intended on taking over the earth but couldn't because her little statue was busted up so you decided to let her join the gang?
Angel: It wasn't my idea.
Xander: Of course it wasn't.
Wesley: It was my decision. And it was the right one. She's already assisted with the situation in the lab.
Angel: What situation in the lab?
Illyria: It is no longer a situation.
Angel: (sarcastic) Well, coming from you, I just feel calm all over.
Xander: Either way, we don't have time to waste.
Wesley: I couldn't agree more. So what is the problem with Spike?
Xander: After Sunnydale was no more, we all made a choice. Giles and Buffy knew that the slayers would need guidance. And with the Watcher's Council being in pieces all over England, they figured that was the place to start. I went along to see if I could be of any help, mainly cause I had no where else to go.
He starts pacing the floor as he talks.
Xander: Buffy took the Spike thing hard.
Angel swallows uncomfortably and looks at the ground.
Xander: She didn't understand. Where did the amulet originate? Who was it really meant for? (He glances at Angel) Nothing you haven't already wondered I'm sure.
Wesley: We've already discussed all of this.
Xander: I'm sure you have. Wishing I had been a fly.
Angel: Can we get on with it?
Xander: Giles suggested the real question might be how was Spike made to be in the place to use it? When he came back, when he had a soul, we never really questioned how he did it. I mean, he just shows up all crazy socks, blubbering and bellyaching and suffering from the wrath of the First, we didn't really care how he got there. Buffy just wanted to help him.
Another look from Angel but he still says nothing.
Xander: We started looking into how he did it. Tracked it back to someone or something in Africa that Spike went to see. So I went.
Angel: You went to Africa by yourself after this thing?
Xander: Well it wasn't like I knew what I was dealing with…at the time. Buffy was trying to get Dawn settled and help with the council. So I volunteered to check it out. Willow did a seek spell to locate the biggest source of mystical energy in Africa and off I went. Weird thing was she couldn't read dark or light in the energy.
Illyria: Itley.
Angel: Excuse me?
Illyria: In my time, my world, we had this. Only one. Very powerful. It was called Itley. A being capable of controlling both sides.
Xander: She's right. I found a small village in South Africa, where Willow said she felt the power. The people there, they didn't speak. At all. And every time I did, they ran away. They were scared.
Wesley: They were being controlled?
Xander: Actually the opposite. The only way they couldn't be controlled was by silence. This thing, whatever it is, its power lies in the voice.
Angel: And how do you know this?
Xander: Did I mention the part where I kept trying to talk to them? And then the running? Well, I finally got an answer.
Wesley: It spoke to you.
Xander: You betcha. Spoke to me in such a way that next thing I know, I get to lie on the ground and scream while it comes to me.
Angel: You saw it?
Xander: Yep.
Angel: But you're still here?
Xander: Yep.
Wesley: How did you escape?
Xander: Astral Willow. She had been keeping track of me. When she showed up, it was gone. And then she told me.
Angel: Told you what?
Xander: That's what this thing does. It gets to play with both sides. And when it needs a soul for one side, it takes it from the other. We should have known. You don't just get to go ask for a soul, fight a few uglies and click your heels together to get it. There are always repercussions.
Wesley: Spike got his soul.
Xander: That's the thing. Spike didn't get 'his' soul. He got 'a' soul. Apparently…big difference.
Angel: You mean, someone lost a soul? And Spike got it?
Wesley: (mumbles to himself) Balance.
Xander: Bingo.
Angel: So that still doesn't tell us why you're here. I mean, what can we do? The damage has been done.
Xander: Actually, there's a lot more that can be done. I came here to see if you and the…firm could help us figure out where this thing gets its power. The way I see it, the only way to stop it is to find a way to take the souls back. Only thing was I never thought it would matter. I mean, the only ones it would affect are those that were willing to steal the souls in the first place. But Spike, he's alive. And he never intended to steal anything. Stupid yes, but soul stealer? No.
Wesley: He only wanted to do the right thing.
Angel: For Buffy.
Angel again looks very uncomfortable.
Cut to Elevator
Spike and Eve stand in silence. Eve suddenly hits the stop button and looks at him.
Eve: Listen, are you going to help me or not?
Spike: Let me think, no.
He goes to push the button and Eve swats his hand away.
Eve: The way I see it, you know what I'm going through. It's hard to make it once people know you've dipped into the other side's punch.
Spike: I'm not like you. I never played both sides against the other. I was bad, then I was good. One or the other Pet. Always a good idea to choose.
Eve: Fine, but you just said you changed your mind. Maybe that's all I'm doing.
Spike: Maybe. But coming to the pawn in your last chess match? Probably not the safest bet. Now get out of my way.
Eve: Don't you want to know how we did it?
Spike: (Stopping) What?
Eve: How we did it. Brought you back? Don't you want to know how we found the power? Or better yet, where?
Spike: Your boy stole from the cookie jar. We already know that. He had the know how on this place, just used it to his advantage, pretty simple.
Eve: You think that's all it was? Wolfram and Hart gave that amulet to Angel. Thought they'd take him out once and for all. Willing to sacrifice their team winning just to get rid of Angel. But the Slayer screwed them. Gave it to you instead. You were never supposed to get out of there. Whoever went in, was not supposed to get out…ever. We brought you back. Now they have Lindsay and I want him. You owe me.
Spike: I don't owe you anything. And I can't help you get your boyfriend.
Eve: I can send you back.
Spike: I'm corporeal now. You can't just send me back.
Eve: Are you sure? And going back with a soul? Well, you got a taste of that already didn't you? Felt yourself being pulled? Maybe you should ask Angel how it feels to go to hell with a soul. He has about a century's worth of experience with that.
Spike: (clenches his jaw) what is it you want me to do?
Eve: (pushes button) That's more like it.
They ride in silence until the doors open and they find themselves facing Gunn and Lorne on the other side.
Lorne: Fancy running into you.
Spike: (Looking at Gunn) I could say the same.
Gunn: What is she doing here?
Eve: I'm not looking for trouble, I swear.
Lorne: Maybe not, but last I checked trouble was looking for you.
Spike: She's ok. Helped me out of a jam back there. Figured it was better to keep her close.
Lorne: Why not? We seem to be in the business of welcoming in sworn enemies these days.
Spike: You're looking less bed ridden.
Gunn: Yeah, figured I had enough rest.
Spike: You sure you ready?
Gunn: No, but Lorne thinks I am.
Spike: Where's Angel?
Lorne: We're headed there now.
Spike: That makes all of us.
Cut to Office
Wesley: Why not just go back to Buffy and the others?
Xander: There was one thing I learned there, something I didn't share with them. For obvious reasons.
Angel: The obvious being…?
Xander: I felt it. And when I felt it, I saw it.
Wes: Saw what?
Xander: This things isn't just about taking people's souls to give out to others. It chooses people that serve its purpose. It takes them for another reason. It reads people, finds out their limits of good or bad, which way they'll be more likely to lean. And it uses it against them.
Angel: I'm not understanding.
Xander: Ok, then we'll take an example. Just hypothetically. Everyone has good and bad in them. Well, humans anyway. So when their soul is taken or given, this thing takes what they have the most of and switches it.
Illyria: Switches?
Xander: It's to feed its own power. To keep the balance. To hold the balance. This thing is trying to suck the balance into one place, itself. Take away the power from good and bad, and control it all. Then the rest of us are just pawns. Controlled by its will.
Angel: And those that already have been used by it.
Xander: Whatever is left, is under its control. Whether they know it or not.
Wesley: So you mean Spike….
Xander: Yes, I mean Spike. If he's alive, if he's here, it's only a matter of time before it takes control of him.
Spike: (from door) What's that?
The group turns and faces those who have entered. Angel eyes Eve. Lorne eyes Wesley. Gunn and Wesley stare at each other.
Cut to Cave in Africa
Growling is heard from deep within the cave. The earth shakes as camera pans out over tiny village. People are sleeping but suddenly awaken.
Cut to Angel's office
Gunn: I want to help.
Illyria: But you already did that did you not?
Gunn looks at her with seething anger.
Gunn: What is she doing here?
Wesley: She's with me.
Gunn: Is she now?
Lorne: Angel, who's your friend?
Angel: Xander, Lorne.
Lorne: Like the patch. It's a good look for you.
Xander: And your look is…interesting.
Angel: Spike, how did it go? (To Eve) And why are you here?
Spike: I ran into her on my recon.
Angel: She was in the nest?
Eve: No!
Spike: I got into a spot and she brought a box of sun to help me out.
Xander: A box of what?
Eve: It was a protection box that Lindsay kept in our place. One time use only I'm afraid. But I'd say it came in handy.
Angel: Isn't that convenient for you? Do you really think you should be here?
Eve: If they were going to do something to me, they would have by now.
Spike: Can we get back to my question please?
Angel: What?
Spike: Xander said something about taking control of me.
Xander: That's not what I said.
Spike: Then clear it up.
Gunn: (To Wesley) Any plans of finishing the job?
Wesley: If I wanted to kill you, I would have.
Gunn: So then that was you wanting me to stay alive?
Wesley: That was me wanting you to pay for what you did to Fred.
Gunn: (looks from him to Illyria) Seems you've already replaced her.
Wesley charges in anger and Lorne tries to step in the way.
Illyria: (Fred's voice) Wesley no!
Gunn and Wes both look at her.
Gunn: What the hell was that?
Angel: It's just a parlor trick Gunn. Wesley, back off…now!
Wesley straightens and steps closer to Illyria.
Xander: So this is quite the team you've got here.
Eve: Makes you wonder doesn't it?
Xander raises an eyebrow in agreement.
Angel: The nest Spike?
Spike: Burned up.
Angel: Fine. It seems we have a problem.
Spike: Let me guess, it's something to do with me.
Xander: Well, it wasn't supposed to be. But you're here. How are you here Spike? And why haven't you told anyone? Buffy…
Spike: I was going to. It just hasn't been the right time.
Xander: You mean for you right? Cause that's what this is about. You certainly weren't thinking about Buffy or the rest of us that were there. Do you have any idea what she…?
He cuts off and looks at Angel.
Angel: It's ok. I know. I mean, I know there was a thing. I talked to Buffy before it happened.
Xander: Right. The amulet.
Spike: Yes, Angel knows how important I was to Buffy.
Angel: Don't push it.
Xander: So why?
Spike: It hasn't exactly been easy for me you know! I was a ghost for a time. Walking through walls. There were issues!
Xander: Right. And now you're…
Spike: I want to know what I have to do with what you're here for.
Xander: Do you know where I've been Spike?
Spike: Andrew told me, let's see, Buffy was in Rome and…yeah I think that's all I really remember.
Angel: Typical.
Xander: I've been in Africa.
Spike: So?
Wesley: Spike, when you got your soul, where did you get your soul?
Spike: (realization) Oh. You've been chasing after the demon holding the trials? Why?
Xander: Long story. Gist being, your soul is only a small part of a very large scheme of bad things. But now that you're here, I think the more important question might be the how.
Spike: I'd like to find that out myself.
Wes: We already know, it was the amulet.
Xander: You have it?
Angel: It's around.
Eve: Where?
Angel: Like I would ever tell you anything.
Spike: You might need to do that.
Gunn: Why?
Spike: Cause she says she can send me back. Or she can tell me how they did it.
Lorne: Did what?
Spike: Brought me back. Claims it wasn't W&H at the reins on that one.
Angel: Let me guess, you'll tell us all your dirty secrets if we get your boyfriend back?
Eve: We'll need him. I can't do it alone.
Gunn: I'm done helping you people.
Wesley: Little late for that isn't it?
Lorne: Boys…
Angel: What's more pressing? Xander, how long do we have?
Xander: I can buy some time if I can call Giles.
Angel: He'll know if you call from here.
Gunn: Maybe not.
Eve: Good boy.
Angel: What?
Gunn: There's a place in the building. Calling into other dimensions for some of our clients. It scrambles the signals enough that even the senior partners can't tell the origin right away.
Wes: Look at all that knowledge you have. And for such a small price.
Xander: (Ignoring Wes) So I call from another dimension? Probably going to raise a red flag.
Gunn: Maybe. But where is the red flag? They'll spend time deciphering that and something tells me this is the last place they're going to look.
Xander: Good point. Ok, I'll do it, but I'm not choosing you guys over mine. Got it? This is just something I thought you would be better equipped to help with.
Angel: I told you, you made the right call.
Xander: So why is my skin crawling?
Angel: Gunn, take Xander. Lorne go with them.
The three leave.
Angel: Wesley, see what we have on this village in Africa. History, inhabitants, how long it's been around, anything. Take her with you.
Wes: Right. (hesitates) Are you sure you want to trust him?
Angel: He has no power. He has no control. Only what's in his brain. We can't take that. (Eve opens her mouth to speak) We won't take that.
Wes: Very well.
He and Illyria leave.
Angel: Eve, what is it you need exactly?
Eve: I just want to know what they've done with him. And if we can get to him. I'll show you everything I have on Spike and how we brought him back.
Spike: She says the amulet was supposed to be a one way ticket. Of course, had your name on it I suppose.
Angel: We've been over this.
Eve: He's right ya know. The senior partners created that amulet just for you. You weren't supposed to be here.
Angel: Well I am.
Eve: Yes you are. Because of her.
Spike: Who?
Angel: Buffy.
Spike: She chose the better man.
Eve: She chose the man she could afford to lose.
Spike looks utterly dumbstruck at this comment.
Eve: (To Angel) You never told him?
Angel: It wasn't important.
Spike: What?
Eve: (smiles) Interesting.
Angel: Buffy wanted me here. She was afraid.
Eve: Not that it matters now. You're all alive and kicking.
Spike: She knew it would happen.
Angel: She didn't know. She was just afraid. (to Eve-angry) How do you even know this?
Eve: Where do you think Lindsay was all the time he was gone? Where do you think he got his knowledge? His power? He had to find a place that had its own power. Power that didn't originate from the senior partners.
Angel: Sunnydale.
Eve: Its amazing how easily you can hide in the Hellmouth.
Spike and Angel look at her in shock.